AI Summary
5 min readiHire, a recruiting platform traditionally focused on full-time industry-specific job matching, has launched a freelance marketplace. The move, announced by CEO Steve Luke, is a direct response to the growing demand for flexible, project-based work. The platform connects employers with U.S.-based independent contractors for defined projects with specific deliverables. Employers can post jobs, get matched with candidates, review proposals, and make offers without committing to long-term headcount. The shift is framed as meeting modern job seekers where they are: "The way people work and hire has evolved with the desire for flexibility at the center of the shift," Luke said.
Upwork Data Shows a Surge in Freelancing
New data from Upwork’s second annual Freelance Workforce Index, surveying 2,400 skilled U.S. knowledge workers, shows a dramatic shift. 38% of skilled knowledge workers now freelance, up from 28% just one year ago. Even more striking, 58% of full-time employees say they are actively considering making the jump to freelancing, up from 36% last year. The report attributes this to professionals seeking greater control over their careers, skill development, and income in the AI era.
Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.
Read Full Summary →Free • No credit card required
Never miss an episode of Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology Podcast
Get every new episode summarized in your inbox — free, ~5 minutes to read.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
What you'll learn
- 1 (00:30) **Welcome & Episode Overview** - Host Chris Russell introduces the episode's focus: iHire's move into freelance and Upwork's new labor market data.
- 2 (01:12) **iHire Launches Freelance Marketplace** - iHire, known for industry-specific job boards, launches a platform connecting employers with US-based independent contractors for project-based work.
- 3 (02:20) **Leapsome's New ATS & AI Features** - Leapsome launches an ATS built on a "deepest people data foundation," integrating AI for workflows, frameworks, and learning.
- 4 (03:28) **Eightfold AI Introduces Candidate Agent** - Eightfold AI launches an AI agent built for the candidate experience, providing personalized, continuous conversations across multiple channels.
- 5 (04:41) **Upwork's Future Workforce Index: Freelancing Surge** - Upwork's second annual survey of 2,400 US knowledge workers shows 38% now freelance, up from 28% a year ago.
- 6 (05:56) **Talent Strategy Implications from Upwork Data** - Upwork's research suggests organizations must shift from a technology rollout mindset to a talent strategy mindset to leverage the growing independent workforce.
- 7 (06:40) **Episode Wrap-Up & Next Week's Break** - Chris Russell signs off, noting he will be on vacation next week and encourages listeners to follow his news sites.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Is your career site delivering the conversion you need? Dalia’s plug-and-play tech turns any employer career site into a high-performance candidate conversion engine — no replatforming required, live in days.Visit dalia.co to learn more.
Alright rec techies…..here’s what's happening this week.
First up,
Frederick, Maryland – July 14, 2026 – iHire announces the launch of its industry-focused freelance marketplace.
https://hrtechfeed.com/ihire-launches-industry-focused-freelance-marketplace/
NEW YORK, July 15, 2026 — Today, Leapsome, the HR platform for high-performing teams, unveils an industry first: AI that raises your talent density, built on the deepest people data foundation in HR. With the launch of its new ATS, Leapsome is the only HR platform that brings every employee’s journey into one deep, connected people data foundation: HRIS, recruiting, onboarding, performance, engagement, learning, and compensation.
SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 15, 2026 — Eightfold AI, the pioneer of AI-powered talent intelligence, today introduced Candidate Agent, an AI agent built for the candidate experience: giving every candidate a real, personalized conversation, so candidates stay in the loop throughout the process. The agent meets candidates on the channels they already use, from first message through application, and is available 24/7.
https://hrtechfeed.com/eightfold-ai-grows-talent-agents-to-2-0-with-candidate-agent/
SAN FRANCISCO — According to Upwork’s second annual Future Workforce Index 2026, which surveyed 2,400 skilled U.S. knowledge workers alongside platform data, 38% of skilled U.S. knowledge workers now freelance—a massive leap from 28% just one year ago.
https://recruitingheadlines.com/upwork-index-2026-skilled-freelancing-surges-to-38-as-ai-creates-rise-of-the-ai-orchestrator/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from this podcast
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology Podcast →