What is a Data Scientist at AIG?

As a Data Scientist at AIG, you are at the forefront of a major technological transformation within one of the world's leading global insurance organizations. You will be joining a brand-new, highly visible Generative AI team designed to explore and scale artificial intelligence applications across the insurance lifecycle and beyond. This role is not just about building models in isolation; it is about reshaping how a company operating in 190 countries manages risk, serves customers, and innovates for the future.

Your work will directly impact AIG’s core business offerings by integrating best-in-class engineering and product management principles with cutting-edge AI. You will be tasked with solving complex business challenges by building and scaling world-class products. Because this team is central to the company's long-term vision, your technical guidance and collaborative spirit will be critical in setting new industry standards for smarter, more efficient, and highly personalized insurance solutions.

Expect a role that balances deep technical rigor with strategic business impact. You will be given the resources and investment needed to explore new frontiers in generative AI, but you will also be expected to navigate the ethical and regulatory standards inherent to the financial services industry. If you are excited by the prospect of taking end-to-end ownership of AI initiatives—from conceptualization to operational rollout—this role offers a unique platform to grow your career and shape the future of risk management.

Common Interview Questions

The questions below represent the types of challenges and scenarios you will face during your AIG interviews. While you should not memorize answers, you should use these to practice structuring your thoughts, articulating your technical decisions, and demonstrating your end-to-end capabilities.

Generative AI & NLP Techniques

This category tests your depth of knowledge in modern AI architectures and your ability to apply them to practical problems.

• How would you implement a RAG architecture to improve the accuracy of a customer-facing chatbot?
• Explain the concept of few-shot prompting and describe a scenario where it is preferable to fine-tuning an LLM.
• What are the key architectural differences between a transformer model and a traditional RNN for natural language understanding?
• How do you evaluate and mitigate hallucination in generative models?
• Describe your experience with LangChain. How have you used it to orchestrate complex LLM workflows?

Data Engineering & ML Architecture

These questions evaluate your hands-on coding skills and your ability to build scalable, production-ready systems.

• Walk me through a complex data pipeline you built using PySpark. What were the main bottlenecks, and how did you resolve them?
• How do you ensure data quality and handle missing values in a massive, distributed dataset before feeding it into a deep learning model?
• Explain how you would deploy a PyTorch model into a production environment. What tools and frameworks would you use?
• Write a Python function using pandas to merge, clean, and aggregate two large datasets based on a specific set of rules.
• How do you monitor a machine learning model in production to detect data drift or performance degradation?

Evaluation Frameworks & Statistical Rigor

Interviewers want to see that you can scientifically prove the value and accuracy of your AI solutions.

• How do you define and measure "ground truth" when evaluating a generative AI model's output on unstructured text?
• Design a framework to measure the efficacy of an LLM deployed to assist underwriters in evaluating risk.
• What statistical tests would you use to ensure that your model's predictions are not biased against certain demographic groups?
• Describe a time when your evaluation metrics showed that a highly anticipated model was underperforming. How did you handle it?

Behavioral & Stakeholder Management

These questions assess your culture fit, leadership capabilities, and ability to navigate a complex enterprise environment.

• Tell me about a time you had to convince a non-technical stakeholder to invest in a complex data science initiative.
• Describe a situation where you had to balance the need for rapid innovation with strict regulatory or ethical standards.
• How do you foster a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration within a technical team?
• Tell me about a time a project failed or missed its objectives. What did you learn, and what would you do differently?
• Why are you interested in applying generative AI to the insurance industry specifically?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

To succeed in the AIG interview process, you need to approach your preparation systematically. Interviewers will be looking for a blend of deep technical expertise, engineering pragmatism, and business acumen.

Focus your preparation on the following key evaluation criteria:

• Generative AI & ML Expertise – You will be evaluated on your depth of knowledge across the full ML lifecycle, with a heavy emphasis on modern deep learning and GenAI techniques. Interviewers want to see that you understand the underlying mechanics of models like GPT, VAEs, and GANs, rather than just knowing how to call an API.
• Engineering Excellence – A strong model is useless if it cannot be deployed or fed with reliable data. You must demonstrate hands-on capability in data engineering, specifically using Python and PySpark to build scalable data solutions and wrangle complex datasets.
• Problem-Solving & Efficacy Measurement – AIG places a high premium on your ability to measure success. You will be tested on how you build frameworks to evaluate LLM efficacy, establish ground truth datasets, and translate ambiguous business problems into structured data science roadmaps.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – You will interact daily with product managers, engineers, and business leaders. Your ability to communicate complex AI concepts to non-technical stakeholders, while ensuring all solutions align with strict ethical and regulatory standards, is critical to your success.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for a Data Scientist at AIG is designed to be rigorous but collaborative, reflecting the day-to-day working environment of the GenAI team. You will typically begin with a recruiter phone screen to align on your background, career goals, and fundamental understanding of the role. This is followed by a technical screening round, which usually involves a mix of coding (often focused on data manipulation in Python or PySpark) and foundational machine learning concepts.

If you progress to the virtual or in-person onsite loop, expect a comprehensive series of interviews divided into specific focus areas. You will face deep-dive sessions on Generative AI architecture, practical data engineering challenges, and behavioral interviews focused on stakeholder management. AIG interviewers tend to ground their questions in real-world scenarios, asking how you would build, evaluate, and scale an AI solution within a complex, highly regulated enterprise environment.

Throughout the process, the emphasis will be on your end-to-end capabilities. The hiring team is not just looking for theoretical researchers; they want applied scientists who can write production-ready code, build robust evaluation frameworks, and drive a product development roadmap forward.

This visual timeline outlines the typical stages you will navigate, from the initial recruiter screen to the final behavioral and leadership rounds. Use this to structure your preparation, ensuring you peak technically for the system design and coding rounds while reserving energy to clearly articulate your cross-functional impact during the final interviews.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Generative AI and Deep Learning

Because this role sits on a specialized GenAI team, your knowledge of modern deep learning architectures is the most critical technical hurdle. Interviewers will probe your hands-on experience with Large Language Models (LLMs) and your ability to optimize them for specific, domain-heavy tasks. A strong performance means you can confidently discuss the trade-offs between different model classes and optimization techniques.

Be ready to go over:

• Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) – How to design, implement, and optimize RAG pipelines to ground LLMs in enterprise data.
• Prompt Engineering & Few-Shot Techniques – Strategies for guiding model behavior efficiently without full fine-tuning.
• Deep Learning Architectures – The underlying mechanics and hyperparameter tuning of GPT, VAEs, GANs, and transformers.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Parameter-efficient fine-tuning (PEFT), LoRA, and embedding space optimization for niche financial datasets.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through how you would design a RAG system to query complex, unstructured insurance policy documents."
• "How do you handle hallucination in an LLM, and what specific few-shot techniques would you apply to mitigate it?"
• "Explain the architectural differences between a VAE and a GAN, and describe a scenario where you would choose one over the other."

Data Engineering and ML Lifecycle

At AIG, Data Scientists are expected to be highly self-sufficient. You will not just be handed clean datasets; you must be capable of extracting, transforming, and loading data yourself. This area evaluates your programming proficiency and your understanding of how to operationalize machine learning models at scale.

Be ready to go over:

• Big Data Processing – Using PySpark to handle massive, distributed datasets efficiently.
• Python Ecosystem – Leveraging packages like pandas, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, torch, and LangChain for end-to-end development.
• Model Operationalization – Transitioning a conceptualized model into a robust, scalable production rollout.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Experience with Palantir platforms or advanced CI/CD pipelines for machine learning (MLOps).

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you used PySpark to transform a massive dataset. How did you optimize the job for performance?"
• "How do you structure your Python code to ensure a smooth transition from a Jupyter Notebook prototype to a production-ready application?"
• "Walk me through the full ML lifecycle of a recent project, highlighting how you handled data drift after deployment."

Evaluation Frameworks and Ground Truth

Building AI is only half the battle; proving it works safely and accurately is the other. AIG operates in a highly regulated industry, making model validation a top priority. You will be evaluated on your statistical rigor and your ability to define metrics that actually matter to the business.

Be ready to go over:

• LLM Efficacy Measurement – Designing automated and human-in-the-loop frameworks to score model outputs.
• Dataset Quality – Techniques for establishing, cleaning, and maintaining high-quality ground truth datasets.
• Statistical Modeling – Using traditional statistical methods to validate AI performance and ensure fairness.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "If we deploy an LLM to summarize claims data, how exactly would you build a framework to measure its accuracy and usefulness?"
• "What steps do you take to ensure the ground truth dataset you are using to evaluate a model is free of bias?"
• "How do you balance statistical rigor with the need for rapid product iteration?"

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Ethics

You will not be working in a silo. This area tests your ability to translate complex data science concepts into actionable business strategies while adhering to strict industry regulations. A strong candidate demonstrates empathy for the end-user, clear communication, and a proactive approach to ethical AI.

Be ready to go over:

• Stakeholder Management – Partnering with product managers, engineers, and business leaders to define roadmaps.
• Ethical AI & Compliance – Ensuring models align with regulatory standards, data privacy laws, and ethical guidelines.
• Mentorship & Culture – Fostering a collaborative environment and sharing knowledge across the broader data science community.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to explain a complex AI limitation to a non-technical business leader. How did you handle it?"
• "How do you ensure your generative AI solutions comply with data privacy and ethical standards?"
• "Describe a situation where you disagreed with a product manager about the technical direction of an AI project. How did you resolve it?"

Key Responsibilities

As a Data Scientist on the GenAI team at AIG, your day-to-day work will be highly dynamic, blending deep technical research with hands-on engineering and product strategy. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and implementing generative AI models that solve complex business challenges, directly impacting how the company manages risk and serves its global customer base.

A significant portion of your time will be spent getting hands-on with data engineering. You will use Python and PySpark to build scalable data pipelines, wrangle complex datasets, and ensure that the models you build are fed with high-quality, reliable information. You will also utilize techniques like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), prompt engineering, and few-shot learning to fine-tune LLMs for specific, highly specialized insurance tasks.

Beyond the code, you will play a critical role in shaping the product roadmap. You will collaborate constantly with product managers, engineers, and business leaders to translate operational bottlenecks into data-driven solutions. This includes taking ownership of the full ML lifecycle—from initial ideation to operational rollout—while building robust frameworks to measure LLM efficacy and ground truth dataset quality. You will also be expected to act as a leader within the data science community, fostering an environment of innovation, staying abreast of emerging technologies, and ensuring all projects strictly adhere to ethical and regulatory standards.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for the Data Scientist role at AIG, you must bring a strong mix of academic rigor and practical, applied industry experience. The hiring team is looking for candidates who can seamlessly bridge the gap between advanced AI research and scalable enterprise engineering.

• Must-have education & experience – A PhD with 2+ years of applied industry experience, or a Master's degree with significantly more relevant industry tenure. You must have a proven track record of working across the full ML lifecycle in a product development environment.
• Must-have technical skills – Deep expertise in Python and its core data science ecosystem (pandas, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, torch, transformers, LangChain). You must also possess strong data engineering skills, specifically utilizing PySpark to deliver scalable data solutions.
• Must-have AI domain knowledge – Hands-on experience with Generative AI models, including a solid understanding of deep learning architectures like GPT, VAE, and GANs, and how to tune their hyperparameters. You must be proficient in RAG, prompt engineering, and NLP/NLU techniques.
• Nice-to-have skills – Prior experience with Palantir platforms is considered a strong plus. Additionally, a track record of successful academic publications in the GenAI space will help you stand out.
• Soft skills – Strong collaboration and communication skills are essential. You must be comfortable driving the day-to-day direction of multiple data science activities and working closely with cross-functional teams in an in-office, highly collaborative environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How technically rigorous is the interview process for this GenAI role? The process is highly rigorous, particularly in the areas of deep learning architectures, RAG implementation, and data engineering. You will be expected to write real code and discuss the mathematical underpinnings of models like VAEs and GANs. Preparation should balance theoretical knowledge with practical implementation skills.

Q: Do I really need strong PySpark skills if my focus is on modeling? Yes. AIG expects its Data Scientists to be end-to-end practitioners. You will be responsible for getting hands-on with data engineering to feed your models, and PySpark is a critical tool for handling the massive scale of enterprise insurance data.

Q: What is the working culture like for this team? AIG places a high value on in-person collaboration, meaning you should expect to work primarily from the office (e.g., in Atlanta). The culture on this specific team is described as a "startup within an enterprise," offering the resources of a global corporation but the innovative, fast-paced environment of a newly formed tech group. Work-life balance is generally highly respected across the company.

Q: How can I stand out from other candidates with similar AI backgrounds? Candidates who stand out are those who can clearly articulate how they evaluate LLMs. Everyone can call an API, but demonstrating how you build robust frameworks to measure model efficacy, establish ground truth datasets, and ensure ethical compliance will significantly differentiate you.

Q: How long does the interview process typically take? From the initial recruiter screen to the final offer, the process generally takes between 3 to 5 weeks. The timeline can occasionally flex depending on interviewer availability and how quickly you complete the technical screening stages.

Other General Tips

• Embrace the Regulatory Context: AIG operates in a highly regulated industry. Whenever you discuss deploying AI solutions, proactively bring up how you would handle data privacy, model explainability, and ethical AI standards. This shows maturity and industry awareness.
• Do Not Skimp on Data Engineering: It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of LLMs and generative architectures, but remember that the job description explicitly calls out data wrangling. Be prepared to showcase your raw Python and PySpark skills with enthusiasm.
• Structure Your Behavioral Answers: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for all behavioral questions. Make sure your "Result" always ties back to a measurable business impact, demonstrating that your AI solutions solve real problems.

• Brush Up on the Full ML Lifecycle: You will be evaluated on your ability to take a project from conceptualization to operational rollout. Be ready to discuss CI/CD for machine learning, model monitoring, and handling data drift.
• Ask Strategic Questions: At the end of your interviews, ask questions that show you are thinking about the long-term vision of the team. Inquire about how they currently measure LLM success or what the biggest data bottlenecks are in their current RAG pipelines.

Summary & Next Steps

Joining AIG as a Data Scientist on their new Generative AI team is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a global industry. You will be stepping into a role that demands a high level of technical sophistication, from building advanced RAG pipelines and fine-tuning LLMs to engineering robust data architectures with PySpark. The impact of your work will be felt across the organization, transforming how risk is managed and how customers are served worldwide.

The compensation data above provides a snapshot of what you might expect for a Senior Data Scientist role in this market. Keep in mind that total rewards at AIG extend beyond base salary, encompassing comprehensive benefits focused on health, wellbeing, and long-term financial security. Use this information to confidently navigate the offer stage once you successfully complete the interview loop.

Your preparation should focus heavily on the intersection of advanced AI techniques and practical, scalable engineering. Review your deep learning fundamentals, practice your data wrangling skills, and prepare to speak passionately about how you measure and validate AI performance. For more targeted practice and insights from other candidates, continue exploring resources on Dataford. You have the skills and the background to make a meaningful impact—now it is time to showcase them. Good luck!