How To Get a Job in AI in 2026

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Master your AI career in 2026 with this comprehensive guide on how to get a job in AI as a developer or non-technical professional. Mike Bird, AI and Engineering Lead at BoxOne Ventures, breaks down his personal journey from software developer to AI leader and shares insider secrets on the modern hiring process. Learn why traditional resumes are failing in the age of AI screeners and why you should embrace building in public, networking at AI Tinkerers events, and creating obnoxious resumes to stand out from thousands of bot-driven applications. Whether you are looking to become an AI engineer, a specialized AI consultant, or the AI champion at your current company, this episode provides actionable strategies on leveraging tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and more to proof-of-concept your way into the fastest-growing industry in human history. We dive deep into the technical skills required for 2026, including managing fleets of AI agents and mastering security audits, while also addressing career pivots for those in their 40s or 50s.

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:02 - Career Pivot Strategy: From Dev to AI Lead

00:03:35 - Beat AI Screeners: The Case for the "Obnoxious" Resume

00:10:43 - 2026 AI Engineer Interview: Technical Screens & Vibe Checks

00:16:08 - AI Consulting vs Productizing: Knowledge Arbitrage Tips

00:20:08 - Build in Public: How to Increase Your AI Luck Surface Area

00:25:30 - Non-Technical Strategy: Becoming an AI Champion

00:30:32 - Realistically how long it takes to transition into AI

00:36:26 - Is it too late to learn AI if you are 40+ or 50+?

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