Microsoft is committed to ensuring that we develop and deploy our AI technologies in ways that uphold our AI principles and warrant people’s trust. The Office of Responsible AI plays a leading role in this effort as part of Microsoft’s Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA) team. With a cross-company mandate, and a developed internal practice of responsible AI, we contribute to the conversation about the new laws, norms, and standards that are needed to advance responsible AI for the benefit of society at large. We do our public policy work with the benefit of insights from our internal practice of responsible AI, as well as broad and deep partnerships with civil society organizations, academic partners, and policymakers. 

Given the rapid expansion of new laws and standards relating to AI, this position will focus on regulation and play a key role in shaping Microsoft’s engagement with existing and new regulators. As part of the Office of Responsible AI legal team, this position requires subject matter expertise and will work closely with public policy colleagues to analyze emerging laws, identify trends and inform business decisions. This is also a leading role in responding to regulatory inquiries and investigations.    

Responsibilities

Legal Advice and Counsel 

• Act as a subject-matter expert on laws and regulations that affect the responsible development and deployment of AI models and systems, and how we engage with regulators globally to demonstrate compliance with them.  

• Partner closely with public policy colleagues to establish and maintain relationships with emerging AI regulatory bodies, participate in discussions and consultations with regulators and contribute to the development of industry standards. 

• Lead responses to regulatory inquiries, investigations and enforcement actions. Oversee the collection and production of accurate information in external submissions and disclosures. 

• Interpret new regulation impacting AI worldwide to inform compliance efforts.  Analyze the latest regulatory and legislative proposals in technology regulation to identify trends and ensure substantive and effective engagement where appropriate. Partner with teams across Microsoft to understand and advise on the impact of emerging laws and regulations and help prepare strategies to respond to them. 

• Serve as a key business partner and legal advisor to senior level clients and colleagues by providing actionable advice on a wide range of regulatory issues; collaborate and advise on regulatory strategy to drive meaningful conversations that are grounded in an in-depth understanding of Microsoft’s AI product development and deployment strategies. 

• Partner with colleagues in the Office of Responsible AI and a variety of Microsoft teams that are subject-matter experts in related domains, including Privacy, Security, Digital Safety, Intellectual Property, and Competition and Market Regulation, to translate finalized legal and regulatory requirements into engineering-facing guidance that meets regulatory expectations and can be operationalized at scale.   

• Identify and engage appropriate stakeholders in Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA) and the business to drive decisions and develop decision making frameworks. 

• Contribute to operational improvements (including timeliness, quality improvement, and cost reduction); develop and implement recommendations that increase efficiencies within the Office of Responsible AI. 

• Proactively engage industry, business, or legal groups to drive Microsoft's policy objectives and external outreach initiatives (e.g., conferences, consultations, committees) and coordinate with government affairs professionals to obtain alignment on policy strategy. 

Culture 

• Act with empathy in supporting teammates, CELA colleagues, and business clients. 

• Embrace a global mindset, respecting similarities and differences in others. 

• Bring energy and passion to your work. 

• Embody our Culture and Values 

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications 

• extensive experience as a practicing attorney OR equivalent practice of law.  

• Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction.  

• Juris Doctor or international equivalent degree 

• Experience responding to requests or inquiries from regulatory entities. 

Additional or Preferred Qualifications: 

• In-house counsel experience.  

• 5+ years experience counseling AI or other technology clients and translating legal requirements into actionable engineering-facing guidance. 

• Willingness to be available for occasional evening and early morning meetings with stakeholders in different time zones.  

• Familiarity with laws, regulations, policies, and codes relevant to the responsible development and deployment of AI models and systems (e.g., EU AI Act, the U.S. Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, GDPR, EU Data Act, EU Digital Services Act, EU Digital Markets Act and the Cyberspace Administration of China regulation addressing generative AI)  

• A record of being an effective team player dedicated to collective successes.  The ability to promote cooperation and solve problems in a timely, creative, and professional manner.  

• Maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive material and information with discretion and professionalism. 

• The ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt to rapidly changing environments and demands.  

• Exercising a growth mindset with a strong record of experimentation, learning from both successes and failures.   

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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