German software giant SAP said on Tuesday it intended to employ hundreds of people globally with autism as software testers and programers over the next seven years.

The company, which has already launched pilot projects in India and Ireland, said the move aimed to find workers "who think differently," leading to innovation.

By 2020, 1 percent of SAP's currently 65,000-strong workforce is expected to be affected by autism, a company spokesman told AFP.

In India the group said it had taken on six people with autism as software testers and that productivity and cohesiveness in key areas had increased as a result.

Under the Ireland-based pilot scheme, screening is being completed for five positions to be filled this year, it added.

The company said it would widen the program globally, kicking off in the US, Canada and Germany this year.

AFP