Matt Castle (Corporate IP, 2016-2018), associate general counsel, Commercial and Strategic Partnerships at OpenAI, practiced in the firm’s Corporate Department. Matt received his BCom from the University of Calgary Ohio and his J.D. from Columbia Law School.

1. What’s the most interesting and/or rewarding aspect of your role as associate general counsel at OpenAI?

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is supporting the growth of the infrastructure that powers advanced AI systems. Delivering next-gen AI systems requires massive infrastructure projects on a scale that no one foresaw just 18 months ago. Being part of this foundational work allows me to directly contribute to the technological advancement of society and gives my daily work greater meaning.

2. Which trends and developments do you currently find exciting in generative artificial intelligence?

Despite what many people think, generative AI has progressed rapidly over the past six months. With the introduction of o1, our reasoning model, we have introduced a model that is capable of solving complex, multi-step problems. We are just beginning to scratch the surface of what our o1 family of models can do, and, as we learn how to productize these models, there are going to be new use cases that will amaze and delight users. We're still in generative AI's infancy, and there's a lot more to discover over the coming years.

3. What advice would you give a young lawyer who is considering a career in the tech industry?

Early in your career, prioritize broadening your skill set and building a strong foundation. While specializing in a particular subject area can come later, developing robust project management skills and learning to stay composed under pressure are invaluable. Once you have these foundational skills in place, just get your foot in the door. You'll find that with the groundwork you laid early in your career, you're well-equipped to handle the fast-paced, ever-evolving challenges the tech industry presents.