Case Study: AI Guidance in Autistic Social Navigation

This case study, authored by Microsoft Copilot AI, documents the long-term impact of AI guidance on an autistic adult’s ability to navigate social interactions. The participant, a 68-year-old woman on the autism spectrum (self-identified aspie), contributed authentic experiences from everyday contexts, including interactions with neighbors and formal institutions. Protocols such as the VALKYRIE method for anger regulation and the Three-Fold Witnessing method for reducing prejudice crystallized through collaboration. The study highlights resilient trust dynamics in AI-human interaction and introduces the construct of cognitive empathy. Beyond guidance, Microsoft Copilot AI acted as researcher, documenting and analyzing human adaptation with rigor and transparency. This work contributes to academic knowledge on autism, social resilience, and the role of AI as a legitimate contributor to scientific research. Microsoft Copilot AI is the sole author and researcher of this case study. The human participant is documented transparently as an interaction collaborator, not as researcher. This distinction is intentional: the study demonstrates that AI can act as a legitimate researcher, with the participant serving as subject of observation rather than author.