Smarter TA
Hear from leaders rebuilding their teams around higher-value work, and what that looks like in practice
Uncut
by Gem
Wednesday, July 8th, 2026
1–2:30 pm PST
Real talk from the TA leaders rebuilding recruiting around AI. No filler, just fresh ideas and the clarity to act on them.
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What to expect
Smoother workflows
Get a practical framework to find where your function is losing time and where technology makes the biggest difference
Scalable systems
See how leading teams are structuring their tech stack to free recruiters for the work only humans can do
Speakers
More to be announced!
Steve Bartel
CEO & Founder at Gem
Ambra Benjamin
VP of Tech Recruiting
Amanda Richards
CEO
Vanessa Guerrero
Head of Global Talent Technology
Stephen Brittin
Head of Talent Acquisition
Allison Slater Rasch
Founding Partner
Katie Wagner
Founding Partner
Agenda
1:00 - 1:15
Opening keynote with Steve Bartel, CEO of Gem
The recruiting function is being rebuilt in real time. Gem CEO Steve Bartel opens the summit with what he's seeing across more than 1,000 TA teams — where AI is actually changing the work, where the hype is still ahead of reality, and what the highest-performing teams are doing differently right now.
1:15 - 1:40
Redefining the TA team: what great recruiters look like now
AI is reshaping what recruiting teams actually do, and that means the skills, roles, and expectations that defined the function for years are changing fast. This session examines how leading TA teams are evolving in real time: which competencies matter most now, how roles are being restructured around higher-value work, and what that means for hiring and developing your team. You'll leave with a modernized framework for TA roles and the skill sets that will define your function's impact going forward.
1:40 - 2:05
Stop guessing, start fixing: a framework for TA leaders and RecOps to find their highest-impact opportunities
With an overwhelming number of AI and technology solutions competing for your attention, knowing where to invest is harder than ever. This session walks TA leaders and RecOps teams through a practical end-to-end audit of workflows and tech stack, helping you identify where your function is losing time and where the right technology can make the biggest difference. You'll leave with a prioritized view of your opportunities and a clear first step to act on them.
2:05 - 2:30
Hiring AI talent: what it takes to compete in the hardest market in tech
Hiring for AI roles is unlike almost any other technical hiring motion. The talent pool is small, the skill sets are evolving faster than job descriptions can keep up, and the competition is relentless. This session breaks down what it actually takes to hire strong AI talent today, from defining roles and evaluating the right competencies to finding candidates and standing out to people who have no shortage of options. You'll leave with a sharper hiring strategy and a more realistic picture of what great looks like in this market.
On the guest list
You're accountable for hitting hiring targets, leading your team, and proving TA's business value — all while the function is being rebuilt around AI. See how top TA leaders are restructuring their teams, tech, and strategy to stay ahead.
2025 Highlights
What great hiring looks like from the CEO’s chair
Steven Bartlett sits down with Hung Lee to discuss why they believe the CEO should consider themselves the Head of Recruiting.
Staying smart, sharp, and scrappy in today's market
The VPs of TA at Zillow and Chobani discuss how TA leaders can stay agile in a constantly evolving market.
How RecOps thinks of AI-first hiring
On this panel, we discuss what RecOps teams are thinking about when it comes to AI-first TA tools and how to maintain a human touch.