Product Counsel - job 1 of 2

As a Product Counsel at OpenAI, your primary responsibilities will include advising AI research and consumer product development teams on relevant legal regulations, mitigating legal risks, and crafting innovative strategies that comply with laws such as the EU Digital Services Act. You will also become an expert on AI legal issues, guiding policy development crucial for the advancement of safety and ethical use in AI technologies.

To be considered for the Product Counsel position at OpenAI, you should have a JD and a valid license to practice law in California. Moreover, applicants typically need over 5 years of experience that combines in-house and law firm backgrounds with a focus on technology, privacy, and regulatory matters.

In your role as a Product Counsel at OpenAI, you will be instrumental in ensuring compliance by identifying regulatory risks surrounding AI products and developing clear strategies for managing these risks. Working closely with engineering and product teams allows you to integrate compliance seamlessly into the product lifecycle, ensuring safe and responsible AI deployment.

Essential skills for the Product Counsel role at OpenAI include strong analytical thinking, sound judgment in ambiguous situations, a good grasp of technology law, and excellent communication skills to foster cross-functional relationships. An innovative mindset and the ability to approach problem-solving with a flexible and creative strategy are also crucial for success in this position.

OpenAI fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment for its Product Counsel and legal team. Operating on a hybrid model, you’ll experience the benefits of in-person collaboration at the San Francisco office while enjoying the flexibility of remote work. Emphasis is placed on innovation and responsibility as you work alongside a diverse group of talented professionals.

When answering this question, highlight your understanding of both legal frameworks and technology. Explain how you work collaboratively with product teams to develop a culture of compliance that encourages creativity while safeguarding against legal risks. Provide an example where you successfully managed this balance in past roles.

In your response, outline a specific instance where you identified a legal concern during a tech project. Discuss how you analyzed the risk, the actions you took to mitigate it, and the final outcome. Be sure to emphasize your proactive approach and problem-solving skills.

Discuss your understanding of current AI content moderation regulations, such as the EU Digital Services Act. Propose strategies like developing a risk assessment framework and implementing continuous compliance training for product teams. Show your deep knowledge of both the regulations and the technology involved.

Emphasize the importance of continuous learning in your field. Mention the specific resources you rely on, such as legal journals, professional networks, and conferences. You might also talk about participating in discussions or forums that focus on the intersection of AI and legal regulation.

Your answer should reflect your understanding of the broader implications of AI technology. Discuss strategies for engaging with stakeholders, including policymakers and industry professionals, to advocate for necessary legal reforms. Provide an example, if possible, of how you contributed to a similar effort in your past experience.

Strategies for answering this question include identifying key ethical challenges such as bias in AI algorithms, privacy concerns, and transparency in decision-making. Highlight the significance of addressing these challenges through thoughtful legal frameworks and maintaining an ongoing discussion within the industry.

Discuss your proactive approach in evaluating product design and implementation with a focus on the impacts on youth. Mention specific legal considerations, such as compliance with child protection laws and ethical marketing practices, to reinforce your commitment to responsible technology use.

Point out how essential cross-functional collaboration is in addressing legal considerations throughout the product development lifecycle. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with product and engineering teams to align legal guidance with innovation.

Prepare your answer by discussing a particular scenario where your legal strategies led to the successful rollout of a tech project. Highlight your thought process in identifying the initial legal challenges and how your solution not only resolved the issues but facilitated the development process.

In your response, convey your passion for technology and AI, as well as your admiration for OpenAI’s mission to promote ethical AI development. Explain how your experience aligns with the innovative projects at OpenAI and your eagerness to contribute to shaping the future of AI law.