QA and Software Testing are the most preferred entry-level majors for those aspiring to join the IT sector. However, a pressing question arises: Are these fields truly worth pursuing in light of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) into various application areas? It is predicted that software testing will be profoundly affected by the pervasive influence of AI.
The rise of AI has led to questions about the future of quality assurance professionals. Will AI solutions eventually replace the human experience? Is there a way to strike a balance between tools like ChatGPT and human knowledge? In this article, we will delve into these issues and look at the potential implications for the quality control industry.
How AI can be used to improve software testing
AI is making its way into the world of quality assurance at a swift pace, and its influence on test automation brings undeniable advantages. When we bring AI into testing, we unlock a host of benefits – think of it as boosting our testing superpowers and turbocharging our efficiency. Picture machine learning as the magic behind AI; it helps AI spot patterns and even predict what’s coming next.
The methodology of using AI developments for testing noticeably wins in cases where developers are faced with a large number of problems in manual testing. Imagine the practical application of a user-friendly AI system that effortlessly executes and records user metrics during interactions with a web product. Within a mere 10-15 minutes, this AI system could seamlessly handle tens of thousands of test cases on a regular basis.
It’s pretty much agreed upon that AI has the ability to speed things up and make them run smoother. Now, let’s dive into the important world of quality control and testing. We’ll take a closer look at how AI tools step in and really amp up their game, making them way more effective.
Test Case Generation
AI algorithms are like those creative minds that can whip up test cases on their own. It’s like having a magical time-saver because it not only frees us from the grind but also helps avoid those little human hiccups that can trip us up. And guess what’s even cooler? These algorithms can churn out loads of tests – way more than we can handle. So, you can imagine the testing process becoming this turbocharged superhero, covering more ground and leaving no stone unturned.
Test optimization
AI can prioritize tests based on risk, complexity, and frequency of use, ensuring that the most important tests run first. It has additional benefits for industries such as fintech due to their approach to rapid development and release.
Test data management
AI tools can manage test data by creating test case datasets and maintaining data consistency across tests. In contrast to human involvement, which can be susceptible to costly errors, leveraging AI in test data management minimizes the risk of inconsistencies and enhances the overall quality of testing outcomes.
Defect prediction
These smart algorithms dig into the past data and figure out the chances of things going wrong – like defects popping up. They’re pretty good at spotting where the risks are highest. When AI steps into the scene to predict accidents, it’s like having a guardian angel with a crystal ball. It doesn’t just ensure safety; it hands decision-makers a treasure trove of insights to manage their resources smartly. This way, they can craft strategies that hit the bullseye, ensuring everything runs like a well-oiled machine.
Test Automation
Tapping into what AI can do lets us automate testing, which means testers can break free from the routine stuff. Instead, they can put their skills and know-how into important tasks like crafting tests and diving deep into analysis. AI takes care of the boring, time-eating jobs, giving testers the chance to work on things that really matter and add real value.
Root Cause Analysis
AI algorithms roll up their sleeves and go through test results to find out why things went south. This detective work helps testers fix problems quicker and with less hassle. In other words, AI speeds up the troubleshooting game and makes the whole process smoother.
Analysis of test results
AI is like a super sleuth when it comes to studying test results and spotting patterns. This means testers get a clear picture of how the software is doing right now. With AI’s analysis in the mix, testers can make smarter choices about what to do next. They can change up their testing methods and polish up the whole quality control game, all thanks to AI lending a hand.
Limitations in the use of AI
If you feel like the previous part confirms that you may be out of a job, here are the limitations that AI has and will have for a significant period of time.
Lack of creativity
AI algorithms encounter significant challenges when it comes to generating test cases that encompass edge cases and unexpected scenarios. They often require assistance to effectively address inconsistencies and navigate complex situations.
Depends on training data
Don’t forget: AI is nothing more than an algorithm, a mathematical model that uses data to work. It is not a force of nature and not a subject of natural development. Thus, the quality of test cases generated by AI depends on the quality of the data used to train the algorithms, which may be limited or biased.
Need “ideal conditions”
I bet you’ve seen this before – there’s almost no documentation on the project. The use cases are vague and unrealistic, and you’re just squeezing information out of your client. AI can’t do that. The quality of his work will be exactly as good or bad as the quality of the input and context converted to quantitative data.
Qualified specialists are required
For example, integrating a test strategy with AI-powered CI/CD pipelines can be difficult to set up, maintain, and troubleshoot as it requires advanced technical skills and knowledge of AI algorithms and technologies. The tried and true methods we use now can remain much cheaper and easier to maintain for many years to come.
Already existing applications:
It is logical to leverage tools based on AI in the field of testing. Because they offer significant assistance in efficiently carrying out their functional responsibilities. These AI-powered tools enhance the testing process by automating repetitive tasks, facilitating test case generation, improving test data management, and providing valuable insights through data analysis. By incorporating AI tools into their workflow, testers can optimize efficiency, increase productivity, and enhance the overall quality of their testing efforts.
Applitools
Here you can quickly find errors inside the user interface. By applying some machine learning and AI know-how, testers can easily find inaccuracies in the user interface.
The application allows you to quickly adjust the test format to the required display forms (adaptive view, desktop resolution). If your product uses animation, you can program the utility to find it.
Sauce Labs
One of the first programs that allowed running tests in the cloud. The service runs up to 1 million automated tests every day. Based on the developments of machine learning, the developers of Sauce labs are working on creating a powerful tool for web product quality analytics.
Test.AI
Here you can combine AI and Selenium. Tests are created in a simple format that is visually very similar to Gherkin. You do not need to code anything and understand the mass of locators.
The AI settings dynamically define the utility window and elements, and automatically start the work to test the functionality of the web product. With this tool, you can easily record the entire verification of the produced tools.
Mabl
Allows you to run functional tests on the utility. Created tests can easily self-learn. There is a toolkit for actively combating flaky tests. There are parameters for checking the dynamic change of elements and forms. You can compare the history of runs in the logs in order to find the changes that have occurred in the utility
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that quality assurance companies in the foreseeable future will harness the continual advancements in artificial intelligence to enhance their testing capabilities. This integration of AI will introduce novel functionalities to the testing domain, effectively streamlining the workflow of the QA department and significantly easing their responsibilities.
By the way, check our case study on how we help our customer with Web & Mobile Quality Assurance for Art Trading Platform.
