AI/Technology Policy Counsel

AI/Technology Policy Counsel

The Policing Project at New York University School of Law seeks a Policy Counsel to join our technology law and policy team. This team leads our cutting-edge work promoting sound policymaking around the use of AI-powered policing technologies (such as face recognition, predictive policing, and vehicle-tracking technology) with the goal of enhancing transparency, equity, and democratic accountability, and advancing racial justice. This work incorporates deep engagement with diverse stakeholders, from civil society and impacted communities to law enforcement and industry.

The position can be based out of the Policing Project’s New York City offices (located at New York University School of Law) or can be full-time remote, with occasional travel to New York City.

Background on the Policing Project

The Policing Project is at the forefront of a new approach to addressing the harms of policing. We believe in “front-end” or democratic accountability — that there must be public voice and democratic sign-off before police act, rather than simply when something goes wrong. The goal is achieving public safety that is equitable, non-discriminatory, and respectful of public values. We pursue this mission by drafting and promoting legislation to regulate policing, and by litigating where these principles are not respected. Our work addresses both street policing and the growing use by police of surveillance technologies and artificial intelligence. And, because sending armed officers to deal with a raft of social problems satisfies no one, we also are working hard to reimagine public safety from the ground up, relying on non-police alternative first responders. You can learn more about our work —past and present — at www.PolicingProject.org.

Job Description and Responsibilities:

Our work around AI in policing and public safety rests on the fundamental belief that policing technology, such as face recognition, vehicle-tracking, and drones/robots, must be adopted democratically — with legislative oversight and an imperative to minimize harm and ensure racial justice. We believe that although technology has the potential to make society safer, a lack of regulation and oversight has given rise to real harms — from invasions of privacy to the perpetuation of racial and other biases.

Whether advising policymakers, drafting legislation to regulate policing tech, or engaging with stakeholders from vendors to civil rights organizations, our work always is animated by our dual goals of fostering democratic engagement and mitigating harm to impacted communities.

This position would entail the following core responsibilities:

·      Assisting with a cutting-edge project to develop a comprehensive framework and model legislation for the use of AI in policing and public safety. This major initiative seeks to develop concrete, actionable guidance for lawmakers on a vast range of emerging public safety technologies.

·      Drafting reports, issue briefs, policy guides, agency RFC/RFI responses, memoranda to policymakers, and a variety of other work product related to a variety of public safety technologies, including but not limited to:

o   Facial recognition and other biometric technologies;

o   Vehicle-tracking/location-tracking technologies;

o   Predictive policing;

o   Drones and robots;

o   Real-time crime centers and digital evidence management systems; and

o   Public-private data pipelines.

·      Providing testimony before legislatures and other public bodies, representing the organization on expert panels, and engaging with media.

·      Participating and helping to organize salons, roundtables, and other forms of convenings with stakeholders, including advocates, academics, law enforcement leaders, vendors, technologists, and members of impacted communities.

·      Collaborating with teams within the Policing Project and with outside organizations and allies to advance the Policing Project’s mission.

Experience and Qualifications:

We are looking to hire someone with the experience, talent, energy, creativity, and passion to help us bring democratic accountability to police use of emerging technologies. Given the cutting-edge and innovative nature of our work, and the fact that it often occurs around fraught social issues, we are looking for someone who is a problem solver with maturity and excellent judgment.

Our ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, although applicants who do not meet all of the following qualifications are still encouraged to apply:

·      J.D. preferred;

·      Substantial policy or litigation experience;

·      Strong familiarity and/or interest in constitutional law, criminal procedure, policing, racial justice, and civil rights/civil liberties;

·      Strong familiarity and/or interest in AI-enabled public safety technologies;

·      Excellent analytical and written communication skills;

·      A commitment to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion;

·      Excellent judgment and the ability to keep many balls in the air without dropping them;

·      A collaborative, collegial, and curious spirit; and

·      Strong organizational skills and an inclination to be proactive.

The Policing Project heartily encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds, and is an equal opportunity employer.

This position can be based out of the Policing Project’s New York City offices (located at NYU Law School) or can be full-time remote, with occasional travel to New York City.

Salary is commensurate with experience. In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Law, the salary is in the range of $110,000-130,000. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Compensation also includes excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision. After one year, employees are eligible for tuition remission at certain NYU schools and matching retirement contributions. Further information regarding benefits can be found here: https://www.nyu.edu/employees/benefit/full-time/professional-research-staff/benefits-guide-2024.html

NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.