WSJ Tech News Briefing · Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Companies like Google are using AI to increase output without increasing headcount, maintaining a flat workforce while producing more. OpenAI's legal team is leveraging AI for tasks previously done by junior associates, with incoming hires expected to focus on more advanced AI oversight.
“So no one said, oh, we are now able to cut five jobs that we otherwise would have kept on this team. Instead, what Google described for example, was that they're able to remain flat while producing more.”
“And then with OpenAI for example, on their legal team, I spoke with an associate general counsel there who has been having co-X do the work that she said a junior associate otherwise would be doing.”
“But this associate general counsel said she's still hiring junior associates but that they would be taking over some of the co-X review that she's been handling herself.”