Jobsdb by SEEK hosted its third HR Conference 2026 on 7 August at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, drawing nearly 500 human resources professionals to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping recruitment and workplace talent management. The event comes as the platform's own data shows job-seeker competition intensifying in Hong Kong while talent mobility stays high, pushing recruitment costs upward.
Daryl Lau, Sales Director, Hong Kong, Jobsdb by SEEK, said the pressure is not a shortage of applicants but the difficulty of sorting and assessing them under budget and time limits. "The core recruitment challenge facing enterprises today is how to quickly assess and identify the most suitable candidates from a vast pool of applications with limited resources."
Lau also said that market insights show growing demand for AI skills has made recruitment more complex, and that job-seeker expectations have shifted. "At the same time, job seekers' expectations are no longer focused solely on salary and benefits. They are placing greater emphasis on purpose at work, growth opportunities and an inclusive workplace culture."
AI moves to the front of HR work
The first panel, "How AI Will Elevate and Redefine HR," brought together HR leaders from Vita Green Group, New World Development and K11 Hong Kong, Ernst & Young Advisory Services and Emperor Group. They argued that AI can take over routine workflow tasks while human soft skills, such as communication and collaboration, become more valuable. The panel's advice to HR professionals was to use AI tools alongside professional judgement - not as a replacement for it. Practical guidance on these tools is collected under the AI for Human Resources tag.
The talent war in Asia
A second panel, "The Talent War in Asia: Attracting and Retaining the Next Generation Workforce," featured speakers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, FDM Group, AIA Group and talent consultancy AMS. They explored what younger employees look for from employers, cross-border hiring approaches, employer value propositions and regional talent mobility trends.
The event also included talks on wellbeing strategies beyond traditional benefits, HR's role in a company's AI development, attracting and integrating global talent, human-centric leadership and practical AI response strategies for HR leaders.
Jobsdb launches new AI-driven hiring tools
Alongside the conference, Jobsdb announced new product updates. Its "Personalised Targeting" feature uses market-level intelligence and data from hiring activity and matching quality - with targeting sharpening after each hire. "Jobsdb Sourcing" connects employers with candidates suited to a specific role. Direct-to-employer activities, including webinars and events, aim to support the full recruitment cycle from writing job requirements to engaging new employees.
Jobsdb has also published its 2026 Talent Blueprint, which outlines forecasts and talent strategies for the year ahead.
How HR must adapt
For HR teams in Hong Kong, the conference's message is that AI adoption is moving from experimental to expected. Businesses are already facing tougher competition over candidates that be retained. HR will also need to match AI-driven screening with a clear definition of what makes an effective hire, and understand that evicting candidates on salary alone is no longer enough while they prioritise purpose, development opportunities and an inclusive culture.
For HR leaders who want a more structured approach to applying AI in talent management, the AI Learning Path for VPs of Human Resources breaks down how to integrate AI into the talent function.
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