Product Lead, AI Lab

Who we are

We are an organisation that exists to drive progress. That's the “red thread” that connects everyone at The Economist Group (TEG). Our businesses share a devotion to innovation, independence and rigour in their fields of expertise. We empower people to understand and tackle the critical challenges and changes facing the world. Our analytical rigour, global expertise and evidence-based insights enable individuals and organisations to make sense of these shifts and chart a course through them.

We deliver analysis and insights in many formats to subscribers and clients in 170 countries through our four businesses, The Economist, Economist Impact, Economist Intelligence and Economist Education, which uphold our global reputation for excellence and integrity. 

We're now looking for a Product Lead to join the Economist AI Lab. This is a full-time position at the centre of our new AI research and innovation initiative. This is a unique opportunity to work with a small team that will help shape how one of the world's most respected media brands adapts to advances in AI.

You'll lead the product development activity within the AI Lab - helping to shape the direction of early-stage product and service concepts. Your role will be to work with the team to create the high-level vision, and then to design the roadmap to realise that vision, iterating as required. You will coordinate the focus of technology, design and customer research activity to ensure we are building things that will create meaningful benefits for future Economist subscribers.

This role will suit someone who thrives in uncertain, formative environments; who can connect new technical capabilities to customer needs; and who relishes the challenge of shaping the future rather than merely refining current practices. The position may suit candidates seeking a stimulating change of pace or a temporary step away from their current role to explore innovative AI applications in a unique, creative environment.

This role will be based in our London headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Be the voice of the future customer within the AI Lab, ensuring our work is focused on ambitious, high-potential, customer-centred opportunities
• Coordinate design, research and technical exploration efforts to turn ideas into testable product and service concepts
• Turn a vision into reality - creating the appropriate product briefs and user stories
• Lead early-stage validation efforts - from problem framing to prototype testing - and help us determine what’s worth scaling
• Work closely with editorial, technology, business and external stakeholders to ensure Lab initiatives are well-connected to broader strategic goals

What sort of person we are looking for

• A curious and creative thinker who enjoys developing new concepts and trying new approaches
• Able to work autonomously in an uncertain and fast-changing setting, comfortable with fast-failure
• Works well in a small team with the freedom to make decisions and communicate clearly with others
• Combines technical knowledge with business and customer sense to ensure that product development supports broader company objectives
• Understands The Economist’s core values of classical liberalism, intellectual rigour and editorial independence
• A brilliant communicator, who is comfortable thinking on their feet as well as expressing themselves in written documentation

Specific skills and expertise

• Experience leading product development involving emerging or experimental technologies, ideally including Generative AI
• Experience working with product development frameworks and methodologies within an early-stage product lifecycle
• Skilled at communicating complex product and technology ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

Strong candidates might also have

• Direct experience working in a startup, innovation lab or corporate R&D environment
• Experience developing and analysis customer research activities to identify and assess product market fit
• Interest or background in using (Generative) AI in newsrooms, media, entertainment or other customer-facing contexts

How to submit an application

Candidates should submit a CV and optional cover letter.

As part of the application, we’re also asking candidates to submit a short, self-recorded video (2-3 minutes) describing an idea for a future AI-enabled product experience at The Economist. This is not a test of technical delivery, nor your production skills (a selfie video is fine). It’s a way for us to understand how you think, imagine and communicate.

[By submitting your application materials, you confirm that the information and ideas shared are submitted voluntarily and for the purposes of evaluation only. You retain rights to your own intellectual property, and The Economist Group assumes no ownership. However, you acknowledge that The Economist Group may independently develop or already be exploring similar concepts, and submission does not create any obligation of confidentiality, compensation or future collaboration.

More about the Economist AI Lab:

We believe AI will fundamentally change both our business and the world around us, making our mission more vital than ever. While we already use AI across The Economist Group, we think the changes to come in the next few years could be even more far-reaching.

This is why we are launching the Economist AI Lab–to reimagine Economist journalism for an AI-driven world. It is a deliberately ambitious project, exploring new ideas and possibilities beyond our existing AI initiatives and engineering roadmap.

A small, dedicated team, the AI Lab will serve as an innovation engine for The Economist –investigating bold new ideas that will shape how we serve our global audience in the future.

The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We welcome applicants regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age.

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What we offer

Benefits
We offer excellent benefits including an incentive programme, generous annual and parental leave policies, volunteering days and well-being support throughout the year, as well as free access to all Economist content. Country specific benefits are also offered.

Our Values
Our values are a collective set of beliefs and behaviours that strengthen The Economist Group's purpose and demonstrate where we want to be as an organisation. They reflect on our mission to pursue progress for individuals, organisations and the world.

Independence
We are not bound to any party or interest and encourage exploration and free-thinking. We champion freedom, both within our organisation and around the world.

Integrity
We are bold in our efforts to uncover the truth and stand up for what we believe in. We inspire trust through our rigour, fact-checking and transparency.

Excellence
We aspire to the highest standards in all we do. We are ambitious and inquisitive in our pursuit of continuous progress and innovation.

Inclusivity
We value diversity in thought and background and encourage healthy debate with a breadth of perspectives. We treat our colleagues and customers fairly and respectfully.

Openness
We foster a collaborative and empathetic culture conducive to the interests, wit and initiative of our colleagues. New ideas are our lifeblood.

The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues and potential colleagues regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, gender identity, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status or any other status.