Entertainment
Top tech jobs 2026: 5 of the fastest-growing tech, AI careers
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.
“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.
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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.
Entertainment
Love the caricature trend? 9 more viral ChatGPT image prompts to try.
Back in March 2025, OpenAI rolled out image generation to all free users. You might remember the Studio Ghibli animation trend that immediately went viral, overloading the ChatGPT servers in the process.
This month, another ChatGPT image prompt is going viral — ChatGPT caricatures. You may have seen users sharing cute, cartoon pictures of themselves, usually created with some variation of this prompt: “Create a caricature of me based on everything you know about me.”
On Facebook, Instagram, X, Reddit, and TikTok, thousands of users are sharing their own ChatGPT caricatures:
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If you’re having fun making your own AI images with ChatGPT, there are tons more prompts you can try.
In fact, when we sat down to compare the best AI image generators, ChatGPT came out on top (though Google’s Nano Banana is giving it a run for its money lately). So, if you want to get started, you just need to know the right ChatGPT photo prompts.
Image generation in ChatGPT — and most other AI models — falls into three categories. You can create images out of nothing using natural language (known as text-to-image generation), you can upload an image and have the AI transform it in some way, or you can upload an image and have the AI edit the photo to your specifications.
There are a lot of permutations of each option, and it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. So, here are some of our favorite ChatGPT image prompts you can use to create neat stuff. You can also check out Mashable’s guide to the best Nano Banana photo prompts for even more inspiration.
Turn yourself (or your pets) into trading cards
ChatGPT added fun details to Luna’s playing card (AI-generated image).
Credit: Joe Hindy / ChatGPT
This one was really fun to do. I used a picture of my dog Luna, who sadly passed away last year. I had ChatGPT create this playing card for an imaginary fantasy role-playing game, which I’ll use as a cute social media post eventually. I uploaded a photo of my dog and used a prompt detailing what I wanted.
“This is a good dog named Luna. Please create a playing card featuring Luna for an imaginary fantasy role-playing game. The card should feature details on HP, attack name and effect, weaknesses (tennis balls, peanut butter), and a very brief description of Luna’s abilities. Before completing the card, double-check that all words, text, and numbers appear correctly without any mistakes or typos.”
These make for delightful little images that you can share, and my wife got a giggle out of it. There are a ton of variations to this prompt. You can also have ChatGPT create sports trading cards or whatever your heart desires.
Blend pictures together
An AI-generated image of the author and his dog.
Credit: Joe Hindy/ChatGPT
One of the best examples of AI image generation at work is to blend pictures together. To make it work, simply upload two images to the ChatGPT chat with instructions on what you want to do. For this example, I took a headshot of myself and a picture of my dog with his nose on the table, and asked ChatGPT to put my head in the image with the dog. The goal was as you see above, to have a picture of my dog and I together.
The first time I tried it, it took my head and not my shoulders, so I had a real Futurama thing going where I was just a head floating there, so I had ChatGPT rerun the generation with specific instructions to also include my shoulders. The above popped out, and while it doesn’t look exactly like me (and the dog doesn’t look exactly like my dog), it’s close enough to call a success.
Add details to existing images
ChatGPT added details of the aurora borealis into an existing picture (AI generated image)
Credit: Joe Hindy/ChatGPT
ChatGPT can also add stuff to images to make them pop more. Google Gemini can do this with Nano Banana as well, as Mashable editor Timothy Werth added some dolphins to an image of him on a boat. So, I thought I’d try it out. Last year, the U.S. saw a crazy week where the aurora borealis reached as far as Texas. I caught a picture from my front yard, but as I was in the suburbs, and I wasn’t able to get those cool details that others did.
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So, I sent the picture to ChatGPT and asked it to add in some of those aurora details. In the image above, ChatGPT added basically all the green parts to the sky. The more subtle green notes right above the trees and houses are perfect, but I thought the more obvious green waves were a bit much considering the lighting and color tones of the rest of the photograph. Either way, it still looks good, and it illustrates the effect.
For prompts like this, be as specific as possible. Remember, with ChatGPT image prompts, specificity is key!
Claymation, building blocks, and puppets, oh my!
My guitars and amps but in the style of toy building blocks (AI-generated image)
Credit: Joe Hindy/ChatGPT
Claymation was a big trend a while back, and ChatGPT users have even created custom tools in the chatbot to help you make your own claymation images. So, if you’ve ever wanted to turn yourself into a Robot Chicken-like character, this is your chance. Upload an image of yourself and ask ChatGPT to do the rest.
“Use this picture and create a clay animation photograph. The subject should be sitting in a cozy living room with comfy furniture. Vivid lighting enhances the happy scene. HD quality, vivid style, bright colors.”
Ask ChatGPT to help you fine-tune your prompt if you don’t like the initial results:
Claymation isn’t the only transformation effect that ChatGPT can do, of course. Users have also had a lot of fun turning themselves into Lego-style characters and puppets.
Turn your pets into people
The ability to turn pets into people exists somewhere between super cool and weirdly unsettling. We covered this ChatGPT photo trend when it first went viral, and it’s still a lot of fun. The process is simple enough. Upload an image of your pet to ChatGPT and then ask it to imagine your pet as a human. You can add additional prompts like clothing choice, facial expression, background imagery, and all of that. ChatGPT will then turn your pet into a human. However, it’s also fun to keep this prompt extremely simple and see how ChatGPT interprets it: “Turn my pet into a human.”
In most examples, the change isn’t too dramatic, but some of them can be a little unsettling to look at. You can have ChatGPT create images that are realistic or in whatever art style you choose, which can change the output substantially. This trended on social media for a while, so you can find tons of examples on Reddit, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, and other places.
Have ChatGPT replicate an image 100 times
The original image…
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth/ChatGPT
…and the final result (AI-generated image)
Credit: Joe Hindy/ChatGPT
When Mashable’s tech editor asked ChatGPT to replicate an image of himself 100 times, the results were… bizarre. For this trend, most people stick with a very simple prompt: “Create an exact replica of this image, don’t change a thing.”
You would think it would just spit out the same image 100 times, but you would be wrong. Every time you run an image through ChatGPT, it changes slightly, even if you tell it not to change anything. Repeat this a bunch of times, and you can get some really interesting end results. Word of warning: This one does require a bit more know-how, as the easiest and fastest way is to it is by using OpenAI’s API. The everyday AI chatbot may even refuse to participate in a replication request.
One of the most famous examples of this ChatGPT image trend is one where a Redditor ran Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s picture through the chatbot 101 times. The Rock slowly morphs from himself into someone who looks totally different, and ends up looking like something out of Picasso’s nightmares.
Turn yourself (or anything else) into an action figure
Remember the ChatGPT action figure trend? Earlier this year, ChatGPT users were using the chatbot to turn themselves or their favorite characters into action figures, complete with packaging, plastic wrap, and accessories. For best results, add some details to your prompt about the packaging details and the sort of accessories you’d like to see to further customize the final result.
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If you need some help, check out the examples generated by X users Artedeingenio and Seinfeldism1. As per usual, the better your prompt, the better your final product will be.
Turn your Reddit username into a picture
This is what ChatGPT came up with for the username “beachedwhitemale” (AI-generated image).
Credit: Reddit / beachedwhitemale
I’ve been on Reddit for about 12 years now, and I’ve seen some wacky usernames. Some of them would be fun to see in image format, and ChatGPT can do just that. In the above example, Redditor beachedwhitemale generated an image of a beached white male. Kudos for accuracy, ChatGPT.
Like the others, you can change how this presents by tweaking your prompts. For instance, one Redditor opted for a more artsy look rather than realistic, and some folks even asked ChatGPT to make the opposite of what their username would be, with interesting results. How absurd or cool this is totally depends on your Reddit username, so hopefully you picked an interesting one.
Check out the Trend Image tool
A ChatGPT Trend Image relating to some science news (AI-generated image).
Credit: Joe Hindy/ChatGPT
If you want to create images or cartoons based on trending news, one ChatGPT-er has built the Trend Image function, which mines the headlines of the day for image prompt ideas. For example, you can create a webcomic based on the latest tech news or animate an interesting science story for your kids.
My own attempt at this trend is… fine. (Why are the quantum scientists arguing with a coffee maker?) With some fine-tuning and dialogue suggestions, I think you could create something a lot better.
Have ChatGPT image prompt ideas of your own?
ChatGPT is still one of the best AI image makers (though Google’s Nano Banana is probably the best image editor at the moment), so if you have a weird or quirky idea, you might as well give it a shot. Feel free to drop your own ChatGPT prompt ideas into the comments, or share them with Mashable on social media.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2026 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
Topics
Artificial Intelligence
ChatGPT
Entertainment
How to watch England vs. Wales online for free
TL;DR: Live stream England vs. Wales in the 2026 Six Nations for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Six Nations is always unpredictable, but this year’s tournament feels especially open.
France are probably favorites to win, but England and Ireland won’t be far behind. And England are coming into this competition on the back of some promising wins in the Autumn Internationals. Borthwick’s team secured big wins against Australia and New Zealand in November. They’ll be looking to build on that success and start strongly against Wales.
If you want to watch England vs. Wales in the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is England vs. Wales?
England vs. Wales in the 2026 Six Nations starts at 4:40 p.m. GMT on Feb. 7. This fixture takes place at Twickenham Stadium.
How to watch England vs. Wales for free
England vs. Wales in the 2026 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
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ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world.
Live stream England vs. Wales from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
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Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
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Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
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Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
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Visit ITVX
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Live stream England vs. Wales for free from anywhere in the world
$12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch England vs. Wales without committing with your cash. This isn’t a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream most of the 2026 Six Nations before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services to watch the Winter Olympics, the T20 World Cup, and more from anywhere in the world, you’ll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for the 2026 Six Nations?
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
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Servers in 105 countries including the UK
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Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
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Up to 10 simultaneous connections
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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream England vs. Wales in the 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.
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Miller Kern is the Deputy Editor of Shopping and Reviews at Mashable, where she writes and edits reviews, roundups, deals, and news stories about tech products, including headphones, skincare devices, laptops, sex toys, e-readers, robot vacuums, and more. She’s been covering all things shopping and tech, including shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday, for Mashable since 2019. Miller can tell you which products are actually worth your money. She also explores trends in the shopping sphere, such as dupes and viral TikTok moments.
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