TA’s 2026 Playbook: Hiring for Quality in an Age of AI and Behavior Risk

Talent acquisition teams are caught between two forces: more candidates than ever, and less clarity on who is the right fit. AI has made it simple for applicants to mass-apply and polish their resumes, creating endless look-alike profiles. At the same time, today’s digital native workforce carries a lifelong online identity, one that reveals far more about culture fit and candidate behavior than a resume ever could. For modern TA leaders, the challenge is turning that digital footprint into a reliable signal of who will strengthen culture and who may put it at risk. Those who are beginning to leverage these online insights are redefining quality of hire itself, adding a layer of real, behavioral insights to what was once left to guesswork about how someone might show up once they are on the job.

The stakes are higher than missed headcount. One toxic hire can drive away high performers, drain morale, and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost productivity. The challenge is that these behaviors rarely show up in a resume, interview, or reference check, but they often show up online. At the same time, the best candidates are looking for cultures where they can add value and grow.

In this session, award-winning TA expert Ben Mones will walk through the playbook senior TA leaders need to adapt for 2026. We will cover how to separate signal from noise in an AI-driven candidate pool, build a sharper definition of quality of hire, and use next-generation tools like compliant social media screening to spot behavioral risks and identify true culture adds before day one.

You will leave with practical strategies to:

• Cut through resume overload and surface stronger candidates, faster.
  
• Adapt to AI-enabled applicants while keeping hiring fair and efficient.
  
• Redefine quality of hire to include behavioral signals for culture add and risks.
• Apply next-generation screening methods to hire with greater confidence.

About the Speaker

Ben Mones

Fama

CEO and Founder

Ben Mones is the CEO and Founder of Fama, an award winning AI-based software company trusted by thousands of talent acquisition teams from around the globe. He regularly appears in major media outlets and on podcasts, and is an expert on how technology is shaping society - particularly in the workplace. In addition to leading Fama, Ben serves on boards for a handful of high-growth startups and mentors entrepreneurs just starting out on their journey. Outside of work, you can find Ben on the basketball court or huddled over his smoker, cooking up a BBQ for his family of 4. He is based in Los Angeles, CA.