In a recent LinkedIn post, Hung Lee offers his impressions of Recfest 2026, a prominent event in the recruitment industry, and outlines five key observations about the evolving landscape of recruiting and recruitment technology. Lee, who attended the event, shares his insights on the normalization of Artificial Intelligence, the strategic importance of productivity, shifts within recruitment tech, the emergence of new players, and the enduring value of community intelligence.
One of the central themes Lee addresses is the current stage of AI adoption in the recruiting sector. He notes a transition from initial excitement and subsequent apprehension to a more pragmatic approach.
“We’re beyond naive wonderment (2022-23) but also naive fear (2024-2025). 2026 is the year when we’re getting steely eyed about AI – we’re using it, seeings it value, and trying to unlock it further, whilst building up the consciousness to defend human evolved decision making”
As Hung Lee points out, this phase involves actively leveraging AI’s capabilities while simultaneously developing a nuanced understanding of its limitations and the importance of human judgment.
The Politics of Productivity and AI Adoption
Lee also delves into what he terms the “Politics of Productivity,” advocating for specific implementation strategies to maximize the benefits of AI. He references the science fiction author Ted Chiang in his recommendation for a “keep what you kill” policy.
According to Hung Lee, this approach is crucial not only for accelerating AI adoption but also for ensuring that the value generated by productivity gains is effectively captured and retained.
“Implement ‘keep what you kill’ policy folks, in order to accelerate AI adoption BUT ALSO secure the value from the productivity gain…”
In Hung Lee’s view, this strategic thinking is essential for businesses to truly benefit from technological advancements rather than simply adopting them superficially.
Transformations in Recruitment Technology
Furthermore, Lee highlights a significant transformation occurring within recruitment technology (rectech). He suggests that the industry is experiencing a dual technological revolution.
The first aspect, as Hung Lee explains, is the impact of AI in reducing production costs, which is blurring traditional category definitions within rectech. The second revolution is being driven by AI agents and Modular Cloud Platform (MCP) technologies, signaling a future where AI agents may become the primary users of rectech solutions.
He also draws attention to the entry of major players into the recruitment tech arena, specifically mentioning Amazon Talent Connect.
“Great to meet Vikram Modgil at the event – always take a special interest when one of the truly big beasts enter into the recruitment tech arena. One to keep an eye on folks”
This observation by Hung Lee underscores the increasing competition and innovation within the sector.
The Indispensable Role of Community Intelligence
Finally, Lee emphasizes the paramount importance of informal interactions and collective intelligence at industry events. Despite the rise of AI, he argues that human connection and shared insights remain critical.
As Hung Lee concludes, the most valuable takeaways from events often stem from spontaneous conversations and the collective wisdom shared among attendees.
“Most important thing about events like this are always the informal, unplanned, unscheduled conversations you have by interacting with people who just bump into as you walk through the event. We’re in the era if AI, but we have to complement it with CI – Community or Collective Intelligence!”
This sentiment highlights Hung Lee’s belief in balancing technological advancement with the enduring power of human collaboration and community.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Hung Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on July 6, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →