Testtalks | Automation Awesomeness | Helping You Succeed With Test Automation

Today, we will explore Generative AI (Gen AI) in QA and testing, featuring insights from our esteemed guest,  Fitz Nowlan a VP, AI and Architecture at SmartBear. Deliver better software, faster with the Jira-native test management solution that performs at scale. Try Zephyr Scale Now https://testguild.me/Zephyr In this episode, we explore how Gen AI impacts testing things like automating routine tasks and freeing human testers to focus on higher-level strategic decision-making. Fitz and I discuss the critical role of human judgment in evaluating performance metrics, the importance of understanding application requirements, and the emerging trend of agentic workflows in AI by 2025. Fitz shares his vision for the future of software creation and the evolving role of testers in what he describes as a "golden age" for QA. Whether you're a tester, developer, or simply curious about the future of AI in software testing, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.

I'm your host, Joe Colantonio, and I am thrilled to bring you some exciting updates today. Guess what? Automation Guild 2025 registration is now officially open!

In Today's special session, we are honored to have Daniel Knott, a seasoned expert in mobile testing. Join us as Daniel discusses "Removing the Pain from Mobile Test Automation," a compelling discussion presented at the Automation Guild 2024. Check out App Live https://testguild.me/getapplive Register for Automation Guild 25 now. In this episode, Daniel delves into the current state of the mobile market, discussing staggering statistics and the massive influence of mobile devices on our daily lives. He addresses key challenges in mobile testing, such as fragmentation, hardware and sensor issues, and the intricacies of test automation. Daniel also introduces Maestro, a new, user-friendly tool in the automation space, and demonstrates how to set it up and utilize its features effectively. By the end of this episode, you'll gain valuable insights into choosing the right automation tools and strategies to enhance your mobile testing efforts. So, whether you're a developer, tester, or just someone keen on the late

Today, Gaurav Mittal, an expert data science manager with over 18 years of experience, joins the podcast. In this episode, Gaurav shares his journey from manual to automation testing and delves into AI's revolutionary impact on software testing careers. Add visual checks toi your tests now: https://testguild.me/vizstack We'll explore how open-source AI models and libraries like TensorFlow and Keras make powerful tools accessible without the price tag and discuss the crucial role of retraining machine learning models to adapt to dynamic data. Gaurav will highlight the substantial benefits of automation in categorizing emails and its time-saving prowess. We'll also uncover the advantages of shift-left testing with AI, enhancing efficiency in the CI/CD pipeline and fostering collaboration among QA teams, developers, and project managers. Moreover, Gaurav offers a comparative insight between Selenium and the newer Playwright, advocating for the latter's superior performance. Throughout the episode, Gaurav emphasi

Today, I have a fascinating conversation lined up with Tobias Müller, the visionary founder and CTO of TestrResults.io. In this episode, we'll explore the complexities of test environments and innovative solutions in test automation. Tobias shares insights on handling complex enterprise cross-domain automation testing and practical techniques for streamlining test automation. He also explains why relying solely on code-based methods might be limiting. We'll also discuss the significance of UI versus API testing, dynamic software elements, and the challenge of universal approaches in automation. From the limitations of traditional tools like Selenium and Appium to the promising potential of computer vision techniques and AI integration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to push the boundaries of test automation. Get ready for expert advice, industry anecdotes, and a thoughtful discussion on the future of digital testing. Listen up!

Today, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Richard Kedziora, the co-founder of Estenda Solutions, to delve into the role of generative AI in testing healthcare technology. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare tech, Richard shares his insights on how AI transforms patient outcomes by enhancing efficiency, improving decision-making, and alleviating administrative burdens. In this episode, we explore: The importance of interacting with AI and how it can replace outdated practices. Real-world applications, such as ambient listening and language translation in healthcare. Concerns about AI reliability, data privacy, and regulatory compliance. How AI contributes to better software development and testing. The future of AI in healthcare with emerging technologies like wearables and robotic assistants. Join Joe and Richard as they discuss how leveraging AI can revolutionize healthcare, making it more effective and patient-centered. Don’t forget to rate and review us on iTunes, and visit the Test Guild webs

In this episode, we explore the future of automation, where natural language bridges human intent and machine execution. Mudit unveils the concept of an "AI testing assistant" that interprets natural language to generate and manage test scenarios seamlessly. We'll discuss how this revolutionary tool supports popular frameworks like Selenium, Appium, and Playwright, enabling quality engineers to enhance existing code and execute tests more efficiently. Get ready to learn about innovative features like error classification, root cause analysis, and flakiness detection that streamline debugging and improve test reliability. Join us as we explore Kane AI, LambdaTest's smart AI-powered test agent for high-speed Quality Engineering teams. That allows you to create, debug, and evolve tests using natural language. natural language processing-based platform, designed to democratize quality assurance and tackle the challenges of CI/CD integration. Listen up!

Welcome to a special Halloween edition of the TestGuild Automation Podcast! Today, we've conjured up a truly spellbinding guest—Paul Grossman, renowned as the "Dark Arts wizard" of Test Automation. With over 25 years in software development and a co-author of "Enhanced Test Automation with WebDriverIo," Paul delves into the magical realms of generative AI and its transformative, exciting role in test automation. Join us as we explore how AI tools like Copilot and Test Rigger simplify tasks, the possibilities and limitations of AI-generated content, and the controversial use of headless browsers. We'll also discuss top-tier tools like BrowserStack Live and Applitools, dynamic page object models, and proper prompting for effective AI outputs. This episode promises to be a hauntingly insightful treat packed with practical tips, industry expertise, and a peek into the future of automation testing. Listen up!

Today’s episode, we are thrilled to have Prathyusha Nama, a seasoned leader in automation with over a decade of experience, particularly in mobile automation. Checkout this weeks sponsor BrowserStack App Automate: https://testguild.me/appautomate Prathyusha delves into the recent Microsoft and CrowdStrike incident that brought significant disruption and how it highlights the urgent need for robust testing practices. We’ll explore the pitfalls of outsourcing testing, the significance of testing in any industry, and the inability of a single individual to manage it alone. Prathyusha shares insights on contract testing and shift-left and backward compatibility testing, which could help avoid such mishaps. Additionally, she discusses the emotional impact of software failures, the nationwide attention they grab, and the necessity for companies to reevaluate their quality assurance priorities. Prathyusha also reflects on her experiences mentoring tech professionals and their common challenges, such as setting up au

Want to know more about the Power of AI to enhance Playwright Scripts Today, our expert guest is Ryo Chikazawa, the visionary behind the AI automation testing solution Autify. In this episode, we'll dive deep into the innovative AI-driven solutions that Autify is bringing to the software testing world. We'll explore how their integration with Playwright makes Uber flexible for both technical and non-technical users. Ryo will enlighten us on their journey from a no-code solution to their latest product, Autify Genesys, which harnesses GenAI to fill the gaps in the testing lifecycle. We'll delve into the robust features of their AI agent, which can autonomously generate Playwright scripts, interact with applications, and adapt to changing requirements, all while ensuring users steer clear of vendor lock-in. Join us as we uncover how Autify is making significant progress with their local and cloud-based solutions, the pivotal role of AI in transforming software development, and the distinctive features that set

In today's episode, we're thrilled to host Mike Verinder, a veteran in the automation testing space and the brain behind some of the most prominent LinkedIn groups and communities for tools like Playwright and Selenium. Mike discusses the intricacies of job engagement in the testing community, managing thriving online groups, and all things related to automation tools. We'll explore Mike's extensive background, which includes managing vast online communities, how to grow them, and the importance of continuous learning in software testing. Whether you're a seasoned tester or just starting, this episode is packed with practical and valuable takeaways to help you stay ahead in your automation testing career. You'll leave here feeling empowered and ready to implement these insights.

Accessibility is more than just a checkbox; it's become a civil right and a human need. Today, we'll explore how proper automation can elevate your accessibility testing to the next level. Check out our sponsors accessibility automation tool now: https://testguild.me/astack In today's episode, "Automation and Accessibility: Mutual, Not Exclusive," Crystal Preston-Watson, a senior digital accessibility analyst at Salesforce, joins us. This session was taken from our Automation Guild 2022 online event, where Crystal took us on an insightful journey, addressing higher-level questions and critical issues related to accessibility testing, specifically in automation. She also covers the essential considerations teams must consider before diving into accessibility automation. Learn about the different types of accessibility testing—manual, automation, and user acceptance—and discover why automated tools alone aren't enough to ensure proper accessibility. Listen in to discover the importance of experience with access

In this episode, we discuss what QE should know about security testing with our distinguished guest, Boris Arapovic, a senior quality engineer and director of quality assurance at IBM IX. Discover how to integrate static security scans such as SonarQube into developer workflows, the role of security skills in hiring testers, and how to enhance API security. Boris shares his insights on the evolving significance of security fundamentals, the impact of AI on our industry, and practical, actionable strategies for conducting comprehensive security testing. We'll also discuss empowering testers through exploratory testing, penetration testing for critical releases, and the creative use of hacker personas. Boris underscores the necessity of a holistic team approach to cybersecurity and the importance of continuous learning with must know resources. Listen up!

You limit your career potential if you only know how to write end-to-end tests via the UI. Automating API Testing backend services allows you to ship changes confidently.  Several popular tools will enable you to do this, but which one should you use, and what are their pros and cons? Also, check out Browserstack Automate TurboScale, now: https://testguild.me/turboscale In this episode, I want to share a private monthly guild session we had for automation guild 2024 members. If you don’t know, when you buy a ticket to our online automation guild (the next one is Feb 10-14), you also get nine monthly sessions after the event is over each month to keep the learning and community going after the official event is over. In this session, Stephen Kilbourn, a longtime guild member and speaker who brings a wealth of experience in automation testing, will share his top three API testing tools: Postman, Playwright, and Jest, and dive into the pros and cons of each one.

In this episode, Ashish Ghosh, a test automation architect at ING Bank, shares a new open source Playwright automation framework called INGenious Playwright Studio. Ingenious is a low-code test automation framework designed to empower business users in the automation process. Ashish shares insights on overcoming the challenges of traditional coded solutions, emphasizing the importance of business user involvement and the cost-effective advantages of open-source tools over commercial alternatives. He explains how Ingenious seamlessly transitioned from Selenium to Playwright, enhancing reliability and eliminating the need for glue code in BDD approaches. Join us to discover how the INGenious framework supports comprehensive enterprise-grade testing, from web applications to APIs, databases, and mobile testing, while fostering a collaborative culture through community feedback and contributions.

 In this session, Rudolf Groetz shares how Raiffeisen Bank International adapted its test automation strategy to incorporate a low-code approach. Discover how to transform from a traditional model to a more inclusive, agile approach. Try Low-code yourself now w/BrowserStack: https://testguild.me/lowcode Listen in to discover: The Challenges and motivations behind transitioning to a low-code strategy. Understand the steps to evaluate and select the appropriate low-code tools. See how non-technical users were empowered to participate in test automation. Observe the proof of concept results and how they impressed stakeholders. Hear the inspiring story of a biomedical intern discovering a passion for software development through this process.  

Today, we have a phenomenal session with our special guest, Christian Bromann, the visionary full-stack engineer behind the open-source WebDriverIO automation framework. Join us as we explore the practical benefits of WebDriverIO version 9's new features. These include WebDriver Bidi Enhancements, New URL Command Parameters, Automatic Piercing of Web Components, iFrames, Shadow DOMs, and more. Christian will share invaluable insights on the importance of responsible web API overrides, improvements in serialization, viewport management, and the exciting new OCR testing feature. We'll also touch on WebDriverIO's future directions, including UI enhancements and a new application to aid developers during testing. Whether you're a seasoned automation expert or just starting out, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and opportunities to contribute to the world of WebDriverIO. Listen in, and get ready to elevate your automation game!  

Today, we have a special guest, Gojko Adzic, who introduces his new book "Lizard Optimization." Check out BrowserStack Test Management testguild.me/browserstack Join us as Gojko walks us through the significant value testers can bring to organizations beyond merely reporting bugs and evaluating product readiness. We'll delve into his rich experiences with user behavior at scale and the formidable challenges he's faced while offering practical strategies to unlock remarkable product growth. In this episode, we discuss Gojko's innovative four-step lizard optimization method and the hidden power of edge cases. Gojko emphasizes testers' fundamental role in product innovation, mainly through experimentation and user behavior analysis. We'll also touch on the balance between addressing accessibility needs and identifying obstacles in user workflows to enhance usability for everyone. Listen in as Joe and Gojko explore the insightful intersection of user expectations and software design, leveraging customer support d

Today, our host, Joe Colantonio, is joined by an extraordinary guest: Greg Paskal. A veteran with over 40 years of experience at the cutting edge of software testing and automation, Greg has dedicated a significant part of his career to pioneering innovative approaches in the field, but what sets him apart is his inspiring initiative in Rwanda. Through METS (Minimal Essential Test Strategy), Greg empowers women with limited technology experience by teaching them the essentials of test engineering and automation. This episode delves into Greg's mission to combat poverty and make a generational difference, emphasizing the transformative power of education. We also explore his strategies for building effective testing teams, the importance of communication skills, and the exciting plans for a new open-source automation framework. Don't miss this episode if you're passionate about technology, education, and making a positive impact. Join us as we explore Greg Paskal's remarkable journey and achievements.

In today's episode, we explore OpenTelemetry, a powerful tool that is transforming how you observe and diagnose your systems in production. Checkout Test Observability yourself now: https://testguild.me/browserstack Have you ever faced unexplained system failures or performance issues and wondered how to identify and resolve them quickly? Our guest, Swapnil Kotwal, Test Lead Engineer at SailPoint Technologies, brings his 12 years of expertise to shed light on how OpenTelemetry unifies fragmented data silos into a seamless observability stack. Swapnil guides us through ensuring unparalleled clarity and flexibility in our infrastructure, from the foundations of observability to practical implementations in distributed systems. This episode is valuable, especially for test automation teams dealing with flaky tests and fragmented tools. So, let's embrace the observability revolution and future-proof our strategies together. Stay tuned!