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SAVE $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $1,099, down from the normal price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that matches the record-low price at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo $1,099 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $500   Get Deal

Despite the FCC ban on foreign drones, you can still get yourself a DJI drone. The fine print of the ban explains that any drone already in the country are excluded from the new legislation, which means they're fair game for ownership and operation. However, that means stock is dwindling, so if you're searching for a DJI drone, check out this latest deal.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that takes a hefty $500 off the price. It also matches the record-low price at Amazon.

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The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a premium drone and the Fly More Combo makes it just that much more appealing. The bundle includes the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone itself, the DJI RC 2 camera-drone remote controller, a set of filters, three DJI Mini 5 Pro Intelligent Flight batteries, three propeller sets, a shoulder bag, and more. Boiled down, this is everything you'd want for an epic drone set-up.

In terms of performance, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is a stellar model. It has a one-inch CMOS camera with 4K HDR filming at 60fps. You can also go with 4K 120fps for slow-motion filming. DJI also made this model especially appealing for night flying thanks to the 360 degree Nightscape Omnidirectional Sensing and Nighttime return-to-home function. DJI's ActiveTrack 360° technology is a must-have feature if you'll be filming moving subjects like a cyclist, skier, or surfer.

While it's still in stock and on sale for a record-low price, snag the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo. The bundle is packed with advanced accessories while still being a perfect model for beginners.

SAVE OVER $50: As of Feb. 2, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are discounted to $199.95 at Amazon. This is $50.04 off their list price of $249.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 $199.95 at Amazon
$249.99 Save $50.04   Get Deal

A good pair of earbuds for working out should offer up great sound quality and a secure fit. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 provide just that, which is what earned them the title of "best earbuds for working out" in our rundown of the best earbuds and best headphones. If you've been waiting for a good time to grab them on sale, now is your chance.

As of Feb. 2, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are on sale for $199.95 at Amazon. Normally the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 have a price tag of $249.99, so this deal saves you a little over $50. What's even better is every color is marked down to this price, so you can choose between the hyper purple, electric orange, jet black, and quick sand models.

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No matter if you're a runner or lift weights at the gym, the secure-fit earhooks on the Powerbeats Pro 2 will make sure they stay in place, so you can stay focused on what you're doing. They even feature Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency mode, so you can block out noisy people around you or stay more aware of your surroundings.

When it comes to sound quality, our review said "Powerbeats Pro 2 nails it." Writer Alex Bracetti added that, "Beats tweaked its soundstage to deliver a more well-rounded listening experience." On top of that, they boast Heart Rate Monitoring sensors for measuring your pulse and up to 45 hours of battery life with the help of the charging case.

If they've been on your radar, now is the time to grab the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 on sale at Amazon.

OK, so you're going to see a lot about Luther Vandross, Kendrick Lamar, Cher, and the Grammys on your feed today.

The setting? The 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night. The category? Record of the Year. The announcement? Here's what happened.

Onstage at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, Cher was about to present Lamar with his fifth Grammy of the night — an evening in which the rapper made history. Set to read out the winner for Record of the Year, the Goddess of Pop opened the prized envelope — however, she thought the winner would also be on the event's teleprompter. After a brief moment, she then read out the winner: Lamar's ballad with SZA, "luther."

But what Cher actually said was "Luther Vandross," naming the all-time music legend who passed away in 2005, prompting social media to erupt.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

However, "luther" does have Vandross at its core, with the track sampling his 1982 hit with Cheryl Lynn "If This World Were Mine," which was a cover of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1967 duet.

The song, from Lamar's freshly Grammy-awarded 2024 album, GNX, was written by Lamar and SZA with Ink and Sam Dew, and produced by Sounwave, Kamasi Washington, Jack Antonoff, Scott Bridgeway, M-Tech, and roselilah. "luther" took home two Grammys on Sunday, including Record of the Year and Best Melodic Rap Performance.

SEE ALSO: The complete list of winners at the 2026 Grammy Awards main ceremony

During Sunday's acceptance speech, producer Sounwave paid tribute to Vandross, saying, "First and foremost, let's give a shout out to the late great Luther Vandross. It was very, very, very important to keep the integrity of this record."

Up next was Lamar, who also honoured Vandross, saying, "This is what music is about." (The artist did take a moment to say the artist's full name aloud with a smile, which felt like it cleared the Cher air.)

"This is special for me, I gotta take my time," he said. "Because it's one of my favorite artists of all time, and they granted us the privilege to do our version of it. When we got that clearance, I promise you, we damn near all dropped a tear because we know how much young miss Cheryl Lynn poured into that record. And being able to put our vocals over it, it proves that we were somewhat worthy to be just as great."

"When we got that clearance, I promise you, we damn near all dropped a tear." - Kendrick Lamar

Lamar then thanked 68-year-old Lynn — "If you out there, listening, watching, we appreciate you," — and mentioned that the only proviso on using the sample for "luther" was no cursing.

Now, here's the part I want you to take away from the whole trending moment: SZA's speech. The artist thanked Lamar "for lifting me up," before giving the audience one hell of a moving reality check.

"What I really wanted to say is, please don't fall into despair," said SZA. "I know that right now is a scary time. I know the algorithms tell us that it's so scary and all is lost. There's been world wars, there's been plagues, and we have gone on. We can go on. We need each other."

Later on the red carpet, SZA was asked by Entertainment Tonight about Cher’s "Luther Vandross" moment and she put it straight, saying, "We share the frequency of the song, like, that’s his frequency that allowed us to win and allowed it to be memorable, so she's not wrong. And she’s from that era, she probably really knew Luther Vandross. 

"Of course, her brain and her energy is connecting that energy to the energy that we’re sharing," she added. "We’re mooching off of what Luther already gave us, so we’re grateful. I wish I could speak to him. Thank you, Luther."

You can watch Lamar, SZA and Sounwave's acceptance speech above and check out the full list of winners at the 2026 Grammys.

Fresh off his historic Album of the Year win at the 2026 Grammys for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny is set to headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show on Feb. 8 — a performance poised to become yet another culture-shifting moment on the world's biggest stage.

At the Grammys, the Puerto Rican superstar didn't shy away from politics, directly calling out U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with a pointed "ICE out" during his acceptance speech for Música Urbana Album. Now, as he prepares for one of the most-watched performances in the world, the question remains: Will Bad Bunny bring that same unapologetic message to the Super Bowl?

Bad Bunny's history of speaking out against ICE

If Benito does take on ICE at the Super Bowl, it wouldn’t be the first time. In a September 2025 interview with i-D magazine, he said concerns over potential ICE raids and the safety of his Latino and Puerto Rican fans were a key reason he excluded the United States from his 2025–2026 DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour.

SEE ALSO: Bad Bunny slams ICE during Grammys speech

"People from the U.S. could come here to see the show. Latinos and Puerto Ricans of the United States could also travel here, or to any part of the world," he said. "But there was the issue that … ICE could be outside (my concert venue). And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about."

Instead, the artist staged a historic 31-date residency in Puerto Rico — one intentionally designed to prioritize local fans, keep ticket prices accessible, and inject more than $400 million into the island's economy. The decision underscored not only his connection to the island but also his ongoing concern for the communities most affected by immigration enforcement.

That awareness surfaced again during the Grammys telecast, when host Trevor Noah joked, "If things keep getting worse in America, can I come live with you in Puerto Rico?" Bad Bunny gently corrected him: "Puerto Rico is part of America." The moment landed lightly, but its implications were a reminder of Puerto Rico's complicated political status and the way Latinx communities are often treated as both central to and peripheral within American life.

His criticism of ICE has been consistent. Last June, Bad Bunny shared a video on his Instagram Story condemning federal agents operating in Puerto Rico, urging them to stop harassing people who were simply trying to work. With ICE operations intensifying under the Trump administration, his past comments suggest this activism is not a fleeting statement but a throughline in his career.

And as a Puerto Rican artist whose music openly celebrates the island, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Super Bowl stage became yet another place where he chooses to make that message heard.

Has Bad Bunny ever criticized President Trump?

While Bad Bunny has rarely named Donald Trump outright, his criticism of the former president — and the policies of his administration — has been clear. In 2024, the artist endorsed Kamala Harris for U.S. president, citing frustration with the Trump administration’s handling of Hurricane Maria and its devastating impact on Puerto Rico. He made the public endorsement in the wake of comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s racist remarks about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, where the island was referred to as a "floating island of garbage."

His commentary has also surfaced through his music. On this past Fourth of July, Bad Bunny released the music video for "NUEVAYoL," a salsa tribute to the Puerto Rican diaspora in New York.

The visual features the singer perched atop the Statue of Liberty, who wears a Puerto Rican flag across her forehead like a bandanna. In the final moments, a Trump-like voice plays over a radio broadcast, issuing an imagined apology to immigrants. "This country is nothing without the immigrants," the voice says, naming Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, and Cubans in an unmistakable rebuke of Trump-era immigration rhetoric.

Tensions escalated further after the NFL announced Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl LX halftime performer. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem publicly criticized the decision, saying ICE agents would be "all over" the Super Bowl and suggesting the event should be reserved for "law-abiding Americans who love this country."

The following night, Bad Bunny addressed the backlash during his Saturday Night Live monologue. Speaking first in English, then in Spanish, he framed the moment as a collective victory for Latino communities in the United States, emphasizing their labor and cultural impact. "Our footprints and our contribution in this country," he said, "no one will ever be able to take that away or erase it." He closed with a pointed aside in English: "And if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn."

Trump himself responded dismissively when asked about Bad Bunny in October, telling NewsMax he had "never heard of him" and questioning why the NFL selected him as the halftime performer. Just last month, he told the New York Post that he would not attend Super Bowl LX, citing Bad Bunny and opening act Green Day as reasons. "I'm anti-them," Trump said, "I think it's a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible."

We'll have to wait until Super Bowl Sunday to see if Benito responds.

So, will Bad Bunny mention ICE or Trump at the Super Bowl?

Whether or not Bad Bunny directly addresses politics at Super Bowl LX, the act of bringing Puerto Rican culture and its history to the world's biggest stage is itself a statement. For Bad Bunny, music and identity have always been inseparable, and this halftime show will surely be no exception.

We're three episodes in to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and things seem to be going from bad to worse for Dunk (Peter Claffey). The even worse news? Episode 4 looks like it might be life or death for our favourite hedge knight.

In the trailer above, after that big reveal at the end of episode 3, Dunk prepares for a "trial by seven" to answer for striking Prince Aerion (Finn Bennett). Cue our protagonist searching for "six other knights to fight beside you" which, judging by Dunk's speech at the end of the episode, is no easy task.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Feb. 2, Amazon has dropped the price of the Sonos Sub 4 from $899 to $759. This 16% discount saves you $140 overall.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Sub 4 $759 at Amazon
$899 Save $140   Get Deal

If you've just bought a brand new, shiny TV and now need to find a high-quality sound system to match it, you'll want to be on the lookout for a great subwoofer. It's a vital part of the speaker setup that allows you to enjoy powerful bass with everything you watch. Thankfully, Amazon currently has a nice discount available on the Sonos Sub 4, so you can enjoy that deep sound at an even lower price.

As of Feb. 2, the Sonos Sub 4 has been marked down to $759 at Amazon, which is $140 off its usual price of $899. It's a deal that applies to both the black and white models, so you can pick up the one that best matches your home's style. Keep in mind it's marked as a limited-time deal, so be quick to add it to your cart if you're interested.

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Like many Sonos products, the Sonos Sub 4 wireless subwoofer has a sleek modern style that accompanies Sonos' other speakers, so it'll fit right in. Alongside the output of booming bass it provides thanks to dual Sonos-engineered drivers, the Sub 4 also has a force-canceling acoustic architecture that helps to get rid of any distortion, buzz, or rattle, so you can stay fulled immersed in what you're watching.

Don't let this limited-time deal pass you by, act fast to save on the Sonos Sub 4 right now at Amazon.

If you're in the process of building out your surround sound setup and are looking for more speakers worth grabbing, have a look at our roundup of the best expert-tested soundbars for even more audio recommendations.

Olivia Dean just won her very first Grammy, taking home Best New Artist at Sunday's ceremony.

The "Nice To Each Other" artist took the moment to thank her team, including longtime manager Emily Braham, before paying tribute to her family — Dean is British with Guyanese and Jamaican heritage.

"I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant," she said onstage accepting her Grammy. "I'm a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We're nothing without each other."

SEE ALSO: Billie Eilish says 'f*** ICE' during Grammys speech

Check out the full list of winners at the 2026 Grammys.

Bad Bunny was one of the big winners at the 2026 Grammy Awards, taking home the trophies for Best Música Urbana Album and Album of the Year for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.

During his acceptance speech for the former, the rapper and singer took a moment to address ICE, which has come under increasing criticism following the deadly shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents.

"Before I say thanks to God, I'm gonna say ICE out. We're not savage, we're not animals, we're not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans," says Bad Bunny in the clip above.

"The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don't hate them, we love our people and we love our family. And that's the way to do it, with love."

Picking up the award for Song of the Year, Billie Eilish also criticised ICE during her acceptance speech.

Check out the full list of winners at the 2026 Grammys.ent

Kendrick Lamar made history at the Grammys on Sunday, taking over Jay-Z's throne as the most awarded rapper at the annual music awards.

Now with 27 Grammys (Jay-Z has 25) and 66 nominations, Lamar took home five awards at this year's ceremony including Best Rap Album for GNX, Record of the Year for SZA collab "Luther" (which also won Best Melodic Rap Performance), Best Rap Song for "TV Off," and Best Rap Performance for Clipse's "Chains & Whips."

Last year, the artist took home all five of his nominations, with "Not Like Us" taking home Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.

"It's hip hop as usual, man" Lamar said during his acceptance speech for best Rap Album on Sunday. "I'm not good at talking about myself, but I express it through the music.

"Every time I tell you this: hip hop is gonna always be right here," he added. "We gonna be in these suits. We gonna be looking good. We gonna be having our folks with us. We're gonna be having the culture with us."

Check out the full list of winners at the 2026 Grammys.

SAVE $300: As of Feb. 2, the Samsung Frame TV 55-inch is on sale for $897.99 at Amazon. This deal saves you 25% on the list price.

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$1,197.99 Save $300   Get Deal

The Samsung Frame TV is one of the coolest pieces of tech out there. If you’re someone who thinks their TV ruins the aesthetic of the home, this is definitely the product for you. Why, you ask? The Frame TV turns your television into a piece of art when not in use. And it’s truly realistic thanks to its matte texture.

Pick from a gallery of famous works of art, or even upload your own personal pictures. The TV frame is also customizable, and you can choose from different colors and finishes to find the perfect choice for your space. And as of Feb. 2, this impressive TV is on sale. Right now you can get the 55-inch model for $897.99, a saving of $300. 

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Aside from its art displaying abilities, this TV is impressive in many other ways. It has a clear, 4K picture quality which gives you sharp, vibrant visuals when watching anything from the latest blockbusters to the upcoming Winter Olympics. It also includes AI-enhanced picture and sound features. And for gamers, enjoy smooth motion support at up to 4K 144Hz.

You can find this deal at Amazon now.

Casting a spell on the night, Lady Gaga won two Grammys on Sunday, using her acceptance speech to take a moment for women in the music industry.

Mother Monster was nominated for seven Grammys, taking home best pop vocal album for Mayhem and best dance pop recording for already-eternal banger "Abracadabra," During her acceptance speech, Gaga thanked her team, partner Michael Polansky, and producer Andrew Watt, before championing women in music.

"I just want to say for women in music that I know sometimes when you're in the studio with a bunch of guys, it can be hard. So I urge you to always listen to yourself and always fight for your ideas. Fight for your songs, fight for yourself as a producer, make sure that you are heard loudly."

Check out the full list of winners at the 2026 Grammys.

Apple is getting serious about foldables. Not only will it reportedly launch its first foldable phone, the iPhone Fold (official name still pending) this fall, but it's now (also reportedly) contemplating launching another foldable device, a clamshell-style phone which might or might not be called iPhone Flip.

The news comes via Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who says the device would be pretty much what you'd expect — a square phone not entirely unlike a Motorola Razr or a Samsung Flip.

SEE ALSO: Apple to prioritize iPhone Fold over base iPhone 18 in 2026, report says

Don't get too excited yet, though. While the wider iPhone Fold sounds like a certainty, given the amount of reports we've seen about it, the iPhone Flip is merely being contemplated right now and is "far from guaranteed to reach the market."

Gurman did not offer any further details about the device. The important part, he says, is that Apple is betting that its iPhone Fold would be successful enough that people would want to buy other Apple foldables, in different shapes and sizes. A larger, book-style foldable phone (larger than the iPhone Fold) could also come at a later stage.

In other words, we could have an entire ecosystem of Apple foldable devices in a matter of years.

None of this is even close to official, and Apple is yet to launch its first foldable device of any kind. A very pocketable, clamshell iPhone does sound very nice, especially for those who are missing the iPhone mini.

Featured Video For You Samsung first look: Go up close with Galaxy Z TriFold, the futuristic foldable only available in Korea

SAVE $50: As of Feb. 2, the Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon. This is $50 off its list price of $399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) $349.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $50   Get Deal

When it comes to our top picks for smartwatches, we consider the Google Pixel Watch 4 to be one of the best Android smartwatches. If you've had your eye on this particular model but have been waiting for the price to come down, we have good news: Amazon's knocked $50 off its price tag for a limited time.

This discount brings the price of the Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm) down from $399.99 to $349.99. It's a deal that applies to a few different colors: the obsidian band with a matte black case, the porcelain band with a polished silver case, and the moonstone band with a satin moonstone case. What's more, the latter is back down to its lowest-ever price, while the former are just one cent away from their lowest prices of $349.98.

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As for why the Pixel Watch 4 secured our spot as the best Android smartwatch, Mashable's Timothy Beck Werth says it's "elegant enough to wear to the office, but comfortable and smart enough to monitor workouts." Our review also called it a "true runners' watch", which is good news for those looking for a watch to help them on their fitness journey. Mashable's Christianna Silva also said in her review that it's "faster, brighter, and more customizable than ever."

Alongside a nice design and bright display, the Google Pixel Watch 4 also features heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, 40+ exercise modes, a high-precision dual-frequency GPS, and up to 40 hours of battery life (or you can push it up to 72 hours in Battery Saver mode).

If you're interested in grabbing the Google Pixel Watch 4 (45mm), don't miss out on $50 off at Amazon.

TL;DR: The One Piece TCG: The Azure Sea’s Seven Booster Box is now only $274.99 at Amazon. That's $25 off its usual $299.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bandai One Piece TCG: The Azure Sea's Seven Booster Box $274.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $25   Get Deal

The One Piece Card Game has been on an absolute tear, and Bandai’s latest sets continue to fuel that momentum. If you’ve been waiting for a good chance to crack into a full booster box, The Azure Sea’s Seven has just become one of the best ways to jump in.

As of Feb. 2, the OP-14 Azure Sea’s Seven Booster Box is available to buy for $274.99, marking one of the lowest prices we’ve seen since launch. At $25 off, that’s a meaningful discount for a premium product aimed squarely at collectors and competitive players looking to expand their card pools in a big way — and is also the best third-party price as confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel.

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This set of trading cards is themed around the Seven Warlords of the Sea, bringing together both classic fan-favorite characters and newer faces from across the One Piece world. It also shakes things up mechanically, reintroducing familiar cards in new colors to open up fresh deck-building possibilities.

Notably, OP-14 includes the first half of the EB-04 cards for the English release, giving players early access to content that won’t be fully rounded out until later sets.

Each booster box contains 24 packs, with 12 cards per pack, spanning over 150 card types, including Secret Rares, Special Cards, and even a Treasure Rare. Whether you’re chasing high-end pulls or stocking up for tournament play, this is a meaty box with real upside.

With stock currently sold out at TCGplayer, this is the cheapest way to get in on the expansion. 

For more deals from the world of trading cards, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is down to a new record-low price on Amazon. As for the Pokémon TCG, the Paldean Fates Great Tusk ex & Iron Threads ex Premium Collection is still around $45 off.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, Feb. 2, 2026:

AcrossRock band with albums like "High Voltage" and "Flick of the Switch"

• The answer is AC DC.

Stuck doing the same old, same old

• The answer is In a rut.

Burning up

• The answer is On fire.

-tion, for one

• The answer is Suffix.

Jared of 2025's "Tron: Ares"

• The answer is Leto.

DownDeclare void, as a marriage

• The answer is Annul.

___ macchiato (espresso drink)

• The answer is Caffe.

Begin to veer off the road, say

• The answer is Drift.

Odd little trinket

• The answer is Curio.

What Apple smartphones run on

• The answer is iOS.

___-Mex cuisine

• The answer is Tex.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Foundations Jumpstart Booster Box is down to $99.95 at Amazon. That's 24% off its usual $131.76 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Foundations Jumpstart Booster Box $99.95 at Amazon
$131.76 Save $31.81 Get Deal

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to dive into Magic: The Gathering, or to expand your collection without committing to a full-on deck-building grind, this deal is worth a serious look. As of Feb. 2. Amazon has cut the price of the Foundations Jumpstart Booster Box down to just $99.95, making it one of the most affordable entry points into Magic right now. 

Plus, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, it’s the lowest price that this booster box of trading cards has reached since September last year. With this $31.81 price cut, it’s also just $2 off its market price on TCGplayer — where shipping costs raise the price.

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Foundations Jumpstart boxes are designed to make MTG as approachable as possible. That’s because each box includes 24 Jumpstart boosters, and every pack contains 20 cards, including all the lands you need to play. With that, you can just grab two boosters, shuffle them together, and you’ve got a ready-to-go deck. No sorting, no drafting, and no homework required whatsoever.

Each booster also guarantees at least one Rare or Mythic Rare card, plus one anime-inspired alternate-art card, adding a collectible edge to the quick-play format. With over 46 possible themes, ranging from Goblins and Dinosaurs to Ninjas and more, replay value stays high — even after cracking multiple packs.

This box is especially well-suited for two-player games, casual Magic nights, or teaching new players the ropes without overwhelming them. What’s more, while Jumpstart products often hover well above the $120 mark, this price cut brings Foundations firmly into impulse-buy territory.

Speaking of MTG box deals, you can also buy the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster Box for $47 off at Amazon. If you’re still curious about the Avatar: The Last Airbender expansion, the Beginner Box is still available to grab at a record price.

While performing in front of stadiums of their fans, Green Day hasn't shied away from sharing their thoughts on President Donald Trump or his aggressive employment of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (aka ICE). So, will this American punk band use their stage at Super Bowl LX to make a political statement? 

Here's what we know so far. 

Green Day is in for the Super Bowl; Trump is out. 

On Jan. 18, news hit that Green Day had been chosen to play the opening ceremony Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. According to ABC News, "The opening ceremony will take place ahead of the pregame entertainment, in which Charlie Puth is to perform the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will sing 'America the Beautiful,' and Coco Jones will deliver 'Lift Every Voice and Sing.'"

ABC also reported that Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of the Bay Area band, declared, "We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard! We are honored to welcome the MVPs who've shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let's have fun! Let's get loud!"

While Green Day fans celebrated online, President Trump told the New York Post in an Oval Office interview that he would not be attending Super Bowl LX, citing Green Day and Bad Bunny as a reason. "I'm anti-them," Trump said, "I think it's a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible."

SEE ALSO: Jon Stewart goes scorched earth on Trump administration over ICE killing of Alex Pretti Green Day has been denouncing Trump's "MAGA agenda" in live shows. Tré Cool, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Mike Dirnt of Green Day perform onstage on January 17, 2026 in Inglewood, California. Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images for iHeartRadio

This punk band has a history of speaking out on politics, most powerfully with American Idiot. Their critically heralded 2004 album criticized the "redneck agenda" of President George W. Bush and made clear the band's opposition to the Iraq War. 

To that end, Green Day has been singing an altered version of the song "American Idiot," to show their rejection of Trump and his politics. Billboard reported that on Sept. 20, 2019, while performing at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, Armstrong sang, "I'm not a part of a MAGA agenda," in place of the original lyric, "I'm not a part of a redneck agenda."

On their Saviors tour in 2024, Green Day played the whole of the American Idiot album to celebrate its 20th anniversary. And the "MAGA" lyric change was consistent, as seen in videos from fans across the U.S. — and witnessed by this reporter at a concert in New York City. (NYC may be Trump's hometown, but the audience in Citi Field cheered in excitement over the lyric change.) 

On Jan. 17, 2025, the day before Green Day was announced as a Super Bowl performance, the band played the 2026 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. The fan account greendayinc posted a video of the end of the performance, which contained a political message in Spanish. (Could this be a nod to Bad Bunny's assurance he'll be singing in Spanish at the big game?) 

Finishing out their final song for the tour, "Good Riddance," Armstrong says to the crowd, "Please look out for your neighbors. Make sure you take care of each other. Make sure you love one another. Protect each other."

Then, after finishing the song, he shouts, "Chinga la migra," which roughly translates to "Fuck ICE." 

So, will Green Day say something during the opening ceremony of the Super Bowl, with the whole nation watching? 

At this time, Green Day members Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool have not made a public announcement about their plans for the big game performance. However, as speaking out against political violence and Trump has been a part of their live performances for years, we predict Green Day will say something. 

Will it be as bold as dropping an f-bomb on live TV? Will it be a lyric targeted at Trump and his MAGA supporters? Will it be a message to support your neighbor or to "be good," in reference to the protest pins won by celebrities at the Golden Globes, drawing attention to the killing of Minnesota resident Renee Good? 

We'll all find out on Feb. 8. 

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As the tech industry goes all-in on artificial intelligence, you might not be surprised to learn that some of the most in-demand U.S. jobs focus on AI engineering, consulting, and researching. 

The spotlight has been on major tech companies like OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and Google trying to achieve market dominance with the right talent. Still, smaller firms and startups, along with non-tech businesses, need high-quality AI professionals, too. 

The search is also on for skilled individuals who can look beyond the initial adoption of AI and the first wave of integration and product launches. 

SEE ALSO: 'No Other Choice' skewers the job market. Here's why Park Chan-wook made it.

“Organizations are increasingly pairing technical AI roles with human-centered, governance, and operational titles,” Christina Mancini, CEO of Black Girls Code, told Mashable. Mancini said the shift reflects a move from organizations simply experimenting with AI to using it deliberately and responsibly.

That trend is evidenced by rapidly growing interest in hiring AI consultants and strategists. That role, along with four other tech titles, recently appeared on LinkedIn's annual roundup of the 25 fastest-growing roles in the country: 

1. AI engineers

The fastest-growing role in the U.S., according to LinkedIn? AI engineer. 

There are a wide variety of applications for artificial intelligence, from powering robotic systems to developing the complex algorithms that drive generative chatbots. An AI engineer can build models capable of performing tasks, along with the required production infrastructure.

AI engineers should expect to draw on extensive technical knowledge for building AI agents, optimizing large language model output, and neural network training. They should also have comprehensive mathematical and statistical skills, LinkedIn notes. 

Coursera estimates the role's annual income at $145,080, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. 

2. AI consultants and strategists

The second-fastest growing position in the U.S. focuses on organizational implementation of AI, according to LinkedIn. Consultants and strategists with key expertise in fields like computer science and artificial intelligence, plus business acumen, may succeed in these roles. Their job, according to LinkedIn, is to help businesses implement AI in ways that make them more efficient and strategic. This can involve project management, long-term planning, and developing ethical and responsible practices. 

Self-employed consultants may charge by the hour (upwards of $300) or by project, according to LinkedIn. While salaries vary, LinkedIn estimates entry-level consultants can earn between $60,000 and $100,000. Those with much more experience may make more than $200,000 a year, according to LinkedIn. 

3. Data annotators 

Building and training a machine learning model often requires data annotators, also known as content analysts. Ranked as the fourth top-growing job by LinkedIn, this role is in high demand as companies rely on data annotators to evaluate metadata or raw data with labels or tags. These annotations provide context for the articles, social media posts, customer reviews, images, and videos used to train AI models, allowing them to communicate more accurately. 

While entry-level data annotators may earn $20 per hour, those with AI expertise or experience handling specialized content, like medical data, can earn $100 to $180 an hour, according to LinkedIn. 

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Getty Images 4. Artificial intelligence and machine learning researchers 

Alongside massive financial investments, private research roles have boomed as institutions expand internal teams dedicated to the progression of generative AI. Tasked with designing and testing new models, algorithms, and future applications of generative AI, these research positions take LinkedIn's fifth spot among the fastest growing roles in the U.S.

According to Apple, their AI/ML research team studies the technology, publishes their research, and hosts and attends conferences on deep learning. Google currently has more than 1,700 job listings for roles across its research teams, including research engineers and scientists dedicated to AI in security and privacy, advertising, search, and machine learning optimization. 

According to LinkedIn's findings, the majority of these roles are offered in tech hubs: San Francisco, New York City, and now Boston. The gender divide is fairly stark, too: 74 percent of spots in this field are held by men, with an average of three years of prior experience. And the median salary is in the six figures, with Zip Recruiter putting it at $130,000 per year. 

5. Data center technicians

In 2025, $61 billion went toward the infrastructure of data centers operating around the world, according to a report by S&P Global. Due in part to the energy-intensive demands of generative AI, these data centers are funded by major tech companies and a precarious model of private equity debt, according to the S&P Global report — they are also supported bureaucratically by the federal government. 

Hardware specialists, including technicians tasked with overseeing the new facilities and their server networks, are in demand. These positions require physical and technical skill — they have to install and maintain servers, organize cable patch plans, and constantly monitor the vast network they physically build for people around the world to utilize. According to LinkedIn's report, most employees in these roles were previously in IT or data center operations and career sites like Glassdoor put their median salaries around $68,000. A majority of roles are based in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Atlanta, and Columbus, Ohio — areas that overlap with growing data center hubs across the U.S.

Over 1,000 Meta employees started off 2026 on a bleak note — they were laid off in mid-January from Reality Labs, the company's Virtual Reality (VR)-focused division.

The public's unenthusiastic response to the Metaverse may have ultimately doomed these positions, but the threat of job loss feels acute to many in the tech industry due to U.S.-imposed tariffs and the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence.

AI was responsible for nearly 55,000 layoffs in the U.S. in 2025, according to CNBC, citing consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Last year marked the highest number of layoffs since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Last year, the tech industry saw over 140,000 layoffs, more than any other industry except the government sector.

SEE ALSO: Pinterest to lay off staff and shift resources to AI, company says

Now that we have that out of the way, the good news is that the tech job market isn't all hopeless. AI is currently a net positive for jobs, generating more positions than it eliminates, according to investment company Vanguard.

Mashable spoke to seven professionals in the tech and employment sectors, and they all saw reasons for optimism, offering their own advice for getting hired or moving up. Some of their biggest takeaways:

• Explore courses and training, especially on utilizing AI.
• AI is changing every day. Learning and experience culled from a few months ago may already be outdated.
• Tech jobs don't just happen at tech companies; all organizations need people fluent in AI, data security, and machine learning.
• Companies are looking for people who can help their peers integrate AI into daily workflows and use the technology more effectively.
• If you're currently employed, ask your supervisor how AI might change your role and what you can do to be proactive about that change.
• Old-fashioned networking is still valued, as are communication skills like writing and speaking.

Read more about getting hired or promoted in the testimonials below.

Cristina Mancini, Chief Executive Officer of Black Girls CodeWhat would you say to someone looking for work in the tech industry?

If I had to choose a word for 2026 it's 'adaptive'; that’s the critical skill. One of my favorite titles for jobs I’ve seen is the human in the loop jobs; that’s making sure there’s a human in the loop before products ship or before you make strategy decisions; [a person] still using their discernment and lived experience.

There's a big shift in the C-suite of some tech companies, with many leaving or shifting roles. How could that filter down to those in entry- and mid-level jobs?

I think it’s interesting because Apple doesn’t usually go through these swings; they’re one of the stable ones. I think it’s interesting; they’re saying they’re all in on AI and, 'We’re going to win on AI.' What does winning on AI mean? Eventually, as happened with Klarna and other organizations, people are going to understand that AI cannot run your company for you. You still need people; they’re going to hire back people who understand how to use the tools. So, making sure you acquire these tools now is critical. That means you’re starting to experiment with the tools.

One of the things we’re proud of that we do [at Black Girls Code] is live training; our virtual training always has teachers. As of last year, you have a 5 percent chance of completing an online course by yourself, but it ratchets up to 95 percent if you’re part of a cohort. Trying to tell people, "just learn it," doesn’t help when people don’t understand the technology. We’re at this interesting juncture where there’s an opportunity to leapfrog some of these legacy systems and programs by learning a new skill that you don’t necessarily have to get a four-year degree for. People should take advantage of it.

SEE ALSO: How Black Girls Code is preparing underrepresented kids for the AI revolution

Getting a major in some of these technologies is also challenging in a four-year college because the technologies are shifting. By the time you publish [a thesis], it’ll probably be dated.

Also, senior-level executives often don’t have to understand that they’re making everyone else use. We need to be aware of these tools. When you don’t, you could inadvertently be leading an organization that’s shipping harmful products.

I was talking to a friend of mine, he’s a career pivoter, switching out of sports and wants to get into tech. He was confused because everyone was sending him links to online courses, and he was wondering, Where do all these pathways lead? Which are the ones I should take? One of his friends took a cybersecurity course and dropped off because it was too hard. [These new skills] can feel like a foreign language.

I speak a couple of different languages. Once you start learning a new language, other languages become less complicated because you start understanding a different way of thinking. People have been talking about being a lifelong learner forever, but now that’s not a nice-to-have. Sitting on your degree from 20 years ago is not going to help you today.

Every industry is becoming a technology industry. People look at the mass layoffs happening across the tech industry, but there are other industries using technology to drive their business, and they need people who understand how to use it.

What are those opportunities that people aren’t seeing? If you’re a small business owner, suddenly becoming the CTO of your organization is not as complicated as it used to be. You don’t need 12 engineers to think about how to build certain CRMs or your marketing stacks. But you can hire someone who can use the AI tools to build them.

Is this really a pivotal moment in the industry?

I think we’re definitely in an incredible [AI] hype cycle, and all hype cycles burst eventually. But this technology is not going anywhere; some version of it will remain. So, when the companies have to hire back people, they’re going to hire people who understand the technology. A lot of startups, ourselves included, are moving into more place-based opportunities. There are jobs for real-life growth developers; people want to connect in person in the tech industry. People are understanding that people matter and help drive business forward.

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Adobe Stock Hetu Kamichetty, Chief Technology Officer of Xaira, a company utilizing AI to advance drug discoveryWhat tech positions are going to be in demand in 2026?

Let me quickly introduce myself and Xaira a little bit. I'm a computer scientist by training. My PhD was in AI. I spent a decade in tech. I was at Facebook. I was at Amazon. I was part of the agentic AI efforts at Facebook before I quit, and now I'm a cofounder and CTO of this company called Xaira. We are using AI to change how drugs and medicines are made, and ultimately how health is managed using AI.

And that relates to the question that you asked, because if you think about the space we're operating, five years ago, I was building AI models to improve search or improve chatbots, and now I'm using AI models to improve how we make medicine.

I just came back from [a conference and] a big theme across the board was AI is changing how tech is done, how we code — but that's so 2025. AI is changing how science might be done, how health might be managed, how drug discovery is done, and a bunch of other fields. AI through robotics is changing manufacturing. So, a big theme [of 2026] is how AI could play a role in other disciplines outside of what we might have considered tech, right?

I mean, tech is, I don't know, 10, 20 percent of the GDP. Health is 20 percent of the GDP, so tech is a smaller fraction of the GDP than everything else [that makes up the GDP], and through AI, we might be able to change and improve not just what we might consider traditional tech.

What would you say to someone trying to get into tech or trying to advance in their career? How can they prepare themselves for a world shifting so quickly?

I think AI is going to improve and change how other disciplines and other industries are done. So if you're a tech person and you're trying to learn AI, very good news, it's fairly easy to learn that these days. I have 20 years of experience in AI, but unfortunately, only the last six months count. Because the field is moving so rapidly, anybody wanting to learn more about AI just needs to learn about what happened this year, and they're kind of caught up on everything.

So for the tech folk trying to learn more AI, there's plenty of online resources, there's plenty of communities; it's fairly easy to write AI code because of coding agents, so you just need to formulate your question.

For the larger sector, there's plenty of people who are tech-adjacent, and I think that's the big push I see; there's going to be a lot more desire and need for people who are bilingual or at least can speak AI, who can understand how AI might change things, understand how to use AI, understand scenarios where AI would be great, scenarios where AI would need some help.

Let's say you're a product designer, a product designer who speaks AI, a data scientist, a data scientist who understands how AI models are used to how AI models are evaluated — all of these things have a way for you to build on your experience and add that AI layer on top of it.

There's a huge need for people able to keep up with what's changing, especially as a startup. We want people to think big, we want them to be bold, we want them to be willing to pivot when things evolve, when things change under the ground.

If you only said, well, 'I'm a tech person and I do [Quality Assurance].' Because of AI, quality assurance of software is very, very different than what it was three years ago, what it was five years ago, what it was maybe even at the beginning of 2025. There's still a huge value for QA skills. But those QA skills need to be bought in with [knowledge of] how agents work. What are the kinds of failure modes that agents currently face that you should be increasing your emphasis on? Folks who are willing to learn and look at this as an opportunity are going to succeed.

Jasmine Escalera, career expert at Zety, a resume template builderWhat tech positions are emerging?

AI is really just taking over the career space. AI and machine learning engineers, data scientists who use AI, prompt engineers, AI product managers; all are for sure going to be hot. Any kind of position that’s unique in integrating AI in everyday living.

Everyone is thinking of their jobs and their longevity. The use of AI in organizations opens up the possibility for AI to almost become an organizational team sport. What I mean is, people building AI from a technical perspective are going to be really important, but also the people who can help integrate it into the organization and its everyday workflows are going to be very important. We’re seeing the emergence of AI operations specialists, people who look at day-to-day operations and try to optimize them using AI workflow management. We’re seeing people like AI governance and AI compliance professionals; these kinds of positions are also coming up. We’re seeing AI used in HR more, so we’re looking at individuals who know how to use AI in the HR space from an ethical standpoint, and those in HR who can [use AI to help] with up-skilling.

We think about these technical roles in AI, but there’s a big open space for positions where a specific skillset can be transferred. If you’re in operations management, for example, you can get complementary AI skills that will help you stay in operations management, but also help you assist an organization in building workflows that can support AI optimization.

SEE ALSO: Which jobs are AI-proof? How can candidates make themselves more viable in this economy?

I read OpenAI is starting its own courses on how to use ChatGPT better and how to prompt it better. Google was starting courses. Many of these companies are saying, 'We want to get X number of people trained in AI utilization to balance what may happen in the workforce.'

Go to conferences, tap in with people in your field, ask leaders in your organization, ‘How do you see AI being implemented across the organization, but also within my team and role? And what are some of the things I can do to keep myself viable?’

You can also ask if, for instance, you're an HR manager or representative, 'What are some of the things I can do to learn how to better integrate AI to support my company?' Even if you have a specific role, there could be an AI twist to it and then could make you incredibly valuable.

We know AI is going to shift a lot of positions, but we’re focusing so much on what positions AI is going to take away. But what’s going to thrive? What unique things could come out of this?

Asking how AI is going to change your role...is the number one strategy for you now. Is networking still important?

It’s always been really important to establish a network, but if you are in the position now of asking how AI is going to change your role, then this is the number one strategy for you now. You have to become inquisitive and curious, not shut down. Sometimes when fear comes up — hey, this is people’s livelihoods — we can shut down. This is the time to be proactive and inquisitive. Talking to people is so incredibly important.

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Getty Images AJ Balance, Chief Product Officer of GrindrWhat trends for tech jobs do you see in 2026?

We really believe AI, similar to Grindr’s founding, is one of these paradigm-shifting technologies, like the smartphone was in 2009, that really allows us to build amazing product experiences that make those different types of connections happen. Our approach to AI is really about helping users make more, better, deeper connections more easily.

Earlier this year, we had a vision of AI at Grindr — which we call GAYI — to build Grindr into an AI-native company, incorporating that intelligence that AI brings at all layers of the product and technical architecture, either in operations or internally. So, we think of [AI] as this paradigm shift, both in product and the way we work. It is impacting how we’re building out our team and how we work in the future.

Similar to other big leaps in technology, we’re seeing a lot of jobs augmented by AI to different degrees of functionality and scope, rather than being fully replaced by AI. We see it as a big opportunity in our product to accelerate the ability for users to make connections more easily, to help us be incredibly productive and augment the types of jobs folks are doing, and perform even more impactful work.

What are you looking for from someone who wants to be part of Grindr’s further adoption of AI?

As AI continues to evolve, I think there’s a lot of demand for folks proficient in leveraging these new tools, like generative AI, across the product and software development lifecycle. So, [we're looking for] folks already using these tools for product management and software engineering work, those who have experience trying them out and applying them in those roles, as well as folks working in design, data, security, and platform teams.

One of the things we see coming is increased demand for applied AI engineers, designers, [and] data scientists who are proficient in building products using these [AI] tools and incorporating them into their day-to-day work, whether it’s in their primary job at the company they're at or even side projects they build. Those are particularly exciting skills and valuable for building products and technology at Grindr.

There are certain degrees or disciplines folks study — like computer science to become a software engineer, designers having gone through a design curriculum — some of those skills are very relevant for roles like product design, engineering, data science. Real experience working in those fields and using AI tools in that work is what really sets [candidates] apart.

Alberto Silveira, Chief Technology Officer at HireVue, an AI and HR management company The most in-demand tech jobs won’t just build AI; they’ll secure it, govern it, and make it usable at scale. On the most in-demand tech jobs in 2026:

It almost goes without saying that roles like data scientists and machine learning engineers will remain in high demand in 2026. What’s accelerating, though, is hiring for cybersecurity and AI governance roles as organizations grapple with new AI-driven security threats, data privacy risks, and regulatory requirements. We’re also seeing growing demand for cloud engineers, AI product managers, and applied AI specialists who can translate advanced technology into real business outcomes. In short, the most in-demand tech jobs won’t just build AI; they’ll secure it, govern it, and make it usable at scale.

It’s also worth remembering that in the era of AI, it’s not just about particular hard skills like coding languages or platform experience — people with critical thinking skills will be more in demand than ever before.

Where job seekers should be looking for work:

Who gets the job should always be about who is the most qualified, but the fact is that a referral goes a long way in a crowded field. One of the best ways to streamline a job search is to start by reaching out to your network for referrals and focus on applying to those roles. It’s important to not just network from behind a screen — attend local meetups and events when you can.

When tapping into your network, don’t just think about the people you’re closest to; research shows that connections with "weak ties" can yield the most significant results. Set a personal goal to reach out to five people daily and ask them for referrals.

SEE ALSO: LinkedIn and Adobe announce partnership to help creators protect their work against AI Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Adobe Stock Kathleen Kramer, 2026 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Past President.On the top trends jobseekers should be aware of in 2026:

My general advice is to be zigging instead of zagging. Since it's AI everywhere, you want to be looking for contributing the non-AI expertise to where AI is going, which is not the general hop-on-the-bandwagon approach.

The second [trend] would be [that] semiconductors are back big and software-only is very sad, which is also the opposite of what's happened, say, in the last four years. So coding is an and...it's not the pathway to success. In fact, the opposite of a coding-only approach is robotics. I see much more opportunity [in robotics] for a career-interested person.

On the value of being able to write and ideate without AI:

You think about the most brilliant, most admired people in tech. How many of them have no communication skills? How many of them are asking ChatGPT to write their speech? It's just not happening.

I always value those skills that make you the complete technologist. There's job function, but there's also just personal value, personal enrichment, personal power to advance yourself, and to be able to rely on yourself. But if I was hiring someone who can't get any work done without consulting an outside AI, it's just not really a significant added value.

— As told to Rebecca Ruiz

Marcie Foy, Director of Career Consultants, Carnegie Mellon UniversityOn the current state of the tech job market:

I think one thing that we're seeing with the tech job market, broadly speaking, is that there's a lot of changes going on, especially with...AI coming more to the forefront within the tech industry. What companies are looking for, the skill sets they need, [and] the experiences that they need are kind of in this state of flux and change.

So it's really, really important for all potential candidates, whether they be undergraduate students through PhDs or experienced individuals, to be able to demonstrate that they are at the top of their game as well with these new changes. They [need to] come to the table with the skill sets that the companies are looking for, and clearly communicate that in their application materials and throughout the interview process, especially in those technical interviews.

Being able to really demonstrate what you can do, how you can do it, and showcase those skills throughout that process is even more important. [That's] not to say it wasn't important before, but it's even more important now with the change of technical skill set that's needed, with the emphasis of AI continuing to grow.

On the skills tech employers are looking for right now:

For a lot of the fields that I support, more specifically in the engineering and computer science spaces, [employers are looking for] the individuals that are able to actually kind of create in the AI space. They're skilled with machine learning and working with language models and natural language processing and areas related to where the work is happening within AI.

That's where we're starting to see things pick up within the tech industry. Moving beyond [programming] to be able to develop the AI agents and things that can do some of that baseline work, as well as more data analysis and machine learning side of things [is important].

On the importance of clear communication:

The emphasis is changing on what we commonly referred to as soft or transferable skills, [such as] the ability to communicate really effectively in the workplace environment, both written and verbally, the ability to explain your thought process, to problem solve and to use all of the information that's at your disposal, including AI, to be able to generate new ideas, [and] to be able to solve the more challenging problems at hand.

The ability to communicate those softer, transferable skills in an interview and on your resume is even more important, regardless of how technical the goal is.

Something that I'm also hearing and seeing is in the interview process — really being able to articulate how you did something, not just what you did, but actually how you did it, the choices that you made, why you made those choices, to show that you have command over your subject matter. That's a way for both candidates to stand out, but also for employers to validate the level of individual that they're considering, given that those individuals also have access to AI to help them prepare for those interviews. — As told to Rebecca Ruiz

These interviews have been edited for length and clarity. Rebecca Ruiz contributed to this story.