What does testing look like in 2026?
In this episode, Tara Walton, Chris Armstrong, Russell Craxford and Dan Billing reflect on the current state of testing, quality engineering and software delivery in a rapidly changing industry.
From the continued rise of AI and changing organisational priorities to evolving job titles, shifting responsibilities and the importance of context, the conversation explores both the opportunities and challenges facing quality professionals today.
Despite ongoing disruption, many of the themes feel familiar. Communication, critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability and understanding customer value remain at the heart of effective testing. The panel discusses how quality professionals can continue to influence decisions, contribute earlier in the development process and help organisations navigate an increasingly complex technology landscape.
Topics discussed
- The impact of AI on software development and testing
- Why quality engineering remains about more than automation
- Communication, influence and stakeholder engagement
- Changing roles and career paths within testing
- Legacy systems, modernisation and organisational change
- The importance of context, adaptability and human judgement
- What the future may hold for testing and quality engineering
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