What QA leaders are discussing this month
Delve into the latest discussions from top software testing podcasts, where industry leaders shared their insights throughout September 2026. This month’s episodes, focusing on pressing topics in quality assurance, highlight several critical trends:
- The pervasive and transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on testing practices and the evolving role of quality engineers.
- The specific challenges and adaptations required for performance testing non deterministic AI driven systems.
- The enduring importance of real device testing, particularly when AI agent based tests show discrepancies with real world outcomes.
- The critical need for testers to continuously evolve their skills and identify new ownership areas to remain valuable in an AI centric development landscape.
- The celebration of human connection, community, and the intrinsic satisfaction derived from problem solving and learning within the testing profession.
Featured Episodes
Testing Podcast, A month in quality: Demos, MoTaCon and human connection, Sep 29, 2026
This episode reflects on a month in quality, specifically covering insights related to demos, the MoTaCon event, and the crucial aspect of human connection within the testing community. It offers a retrospective on recent experiences and their implications for quality assurance.
Key takeaway: The episode emphasizes the significance of community events and human engagement in shaping and enriching the experience of quality assurance professionals.
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Podcast
Test Guild, AI Agents Passed the Tests. Real Devices Didn’t. with Nick Metcalfe, Sep 29, 2026
This episode features Nick Metcalfe, discussing the surprising outcomes where AI agents successfully pass tests that subsequently fail on real devices. The conversation highlights the complexities of real device testing, even when utilizing cloud device farms, and the inconsistencies that can arise between automated and actual user environments.
Key takeaway: Relying solely on AI agent test results can be misleading, as real device testing often reveals failures not detected by automated agents, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive real device validation.
Tools/frameworks: Cloud device farms
Links: Episode
Credit: Test Guild
Testing Peers, Getting a Seat at the (AI) Table, Sep 28, 2026
Chris, Russell, Tara, and guest Richard Hinton explore the ramifications of AI on software development, where increased generation, rapid changes, and faster shipping are becoming standard. The discussion centers on how testing and quality engineering must adapt, focusing on the evolution of tester skills rather than clinging to current roles to maintain relevance in the AI era.
Key takeaway: Testers and quality engineers must proactively evolve their skillsets to adapt to AI driven software development, ensuring their continued value rather than attempting to protect traditional roles.
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Peers
Test Guild, AI Testing Reality Check: What 13 Founders Refuse to Automate with Joe Colantonio, Sep 22, 2026
Joe Colantonio presents an AI testing reality check, querying thirteen founders in the AI testing space on whether AI can fully automate software testing. The episode provides insights from these experts regarding the practical limitations and capabilities of AI in autonomously testing software applications.
Key takeaway: Leading founders in AI testing provide a practical assessment of AI’s current inability to fully automate software testing, offering a crucial reality check on its present capabilities.
Links: Episode
Credit: Test Guild
Testing Podcast, How to Stay Irreplaceable When Agents Write Your Tests with Jonathon Wright, Sep 17, 2026
This episode, featuring Jonathon Wright, addresses how software testers can remain indispensable as AI agents increasingly take on the task of writing tests. The discussion offers strategies for testers to enhance their value and adapt their expertise in an automation heavy environment.
Key takeaway: Testers must develop unique skills and strategic thinking that complement or surpass AI agent capabilities to ensure their irreplaceability in automated testing workflows.
Tools/frameworks: AI agents
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Podcast
Testing Podcast, AB Testing 237: Another Show About Everything and Nothing, Sep 16, 2026
This AB Testing episode engages in a wide ranging discussion, humorously described as “Everything and Nothing.” The hosts delve into various topics without a singular focus, offering broad insights and conversational banter relevant to the testing world and beyond.
Key takeaway: The episode provides a generalized and exploratory conversation on diverse subjects, offering relaxed insights and perspectives from the hosts.
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Podcast
Test Guild, How to Stay Irreplaceable When Agents Write Your Tests with Jonathon Wright, Sep 15, 2026
Jonathon Wright explores whether AI will replace software testers or amplify their value within the industry. The episode delves into how testers can navigate the rise of AI agents that write tests, focusing on strategies to become more valuable and integrated into the development process.
Key takeaway: Testers can enhance their professional value by understanding and adapting to AI agent capabilities, rather than fearing job displacement, to become indispensable in modern testing.
Tools/frameworks: AI agents
Links: Episode
Credit: Test Guild
Testing Podcast, Episode 236 – Molly Sheets, Sep 14, 2026
This episode, “Episode 236 – Molly Sheets,” features an in depth conversation with guest Molly Sheets. The discussion covers her expertise and perspectives within the software testing domain, sharing valuable insights for listeners.
Key takeaway: The episode presents specific insights and contributions from Molly Sheets, enriching the broader discourse on software testing practices.
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Podcast
Testing Podcast, AI Performance Testing: How to Scale Agentic AI with Kandasamy Selvaraj, Sep 11, 2026
Kandasamy Selvaraj joins to discuss the critical aspects of AI performance testing, focusing on how to effectively scale agentic AI systems. The episode provides technical guidance on managing and optimizing the performance of AI driven agents in complex environments.
Key takeaway: Scaling agentic AI systems demands a specialized approach to performance testing, requiring tailored strategies to manage their unique behavioral characteristics.
Tools/frameworks: Agentic AI
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Podcast
Testing Podcast, Why We Still Love Testing, Sep 10, 2026
This episode delves into the fundamental reasons why professionals continue to be passionate about software testing. It explores the sources of joy and satisfaction found in the profession, highlighting what makes the work consistently rewarding.
Key takeaway: The episode examines the enduring appeal and intrinsic motivations that drive a love for the software testing profession among its practitioners.
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Podcast
Testing Podcast, Trowser – The Software Tester’s Browser with Rikard Edgren, Sep 09, 2026
Featuring Rikard Edgren, this episode introduces “Trowser,” a browser specifically designed for software testers. The discussion highlights the unique features and functionalities that Trowser offers to streamline testing workflows and enhance efficiency for quality assurance professionals.
Key takeaway: “Trowser” is presented as a purpose built browser with specialized features to optimize and improve the daily testing activities of software testers.
Tools/frameworks: Trowser
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Podcast
Test Guild, AI Performance Testing: How to Scale Agentic AI with Kandasamy Selvaraj, Sep 08, 2026
Kandasamy Selvaraj discusses the fundamental changes required in performance testing when a system being tested is non deterministic. This episode provides insights into adapting performance testing methodologies for unpredictable systems, particularly in the context of advanced AI.
Key takeaway: Performance testing paradigms must evolve significantly when addressing non deterministic systems, requiring new approaches to accurately assess their behavior and scalability.
Links: Episode
Credit: Test Guild
Testing Podcast, AI Testing Is Bigger Than You Think, 5 Areas Testers Must Own with Swati Seela, Sep 08, 2026
Swati Seela outlines five crucial areas that testers need to take ownership of within the broader domain of AI testing. This episode emphasizes that AI testing extends beyond common perceptions, urging testers to expand their expertise and strategic involvement in these key areas.
Key takeaway: Testers should proactively identify and master five specific, impactful areas within AI testing to fully embrace the expanded scope of this field.
Tools/frameworks: AI Testing
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Podcast
Testing Peers, Why We Still Love Testing, Sep 08, 2026
Chris, Russell, Tara, and guest Linda van der Vooren explore the inherent joys and satisfactions of a testing career, even when the daily work presents challenges. They discuss the fulfillment found in making a genuine impact, solving complex problems, mentoring others, and observing new ideas flourish, also highlighting the supportive role of the testing community.
Key takeaway: The love for testing is sustained by the satisfaction of impactful problem solving, fostering learning, spreading innovative ideas, and drawing strength from a vibrant testing community.
Links: Episode
Credit: Testing Peers
Test Guild, AI Testing Is Bigger Than You Think, 5 Areas Testers Must Own with Swati Seela, Sep 01, 2026
Swati Seela addresses the common concern among testers regarding AI’s impact on their jobs, arguing that AI testing is a far more expansive field than typically recognized. This episode encourages testers to move beyond job displacement fears and instead focus on owning specific, critical areas within AI testing to capitalize on its opportunities.
Key takeaway: Testers should pivot from anxieties about job displacement to strategically mastering specific areas within AI testing, recognizing its broader implications and opportunities.
Tools/frameworks: AI
Links: Episode
Credit: Test Guild
Key Takeaways from September 2026
Emerging Themes
September 2026 saw a significant focus across software testing podcasts on the transformative influence of Artificial Intelligence. Discussions largely centered on how AI is reshaping software development cycles, from accelerated code generation to faster shipping, and the resultant impact on quality engineering. A recurring theme was the evolving role of the tester, emphasizing skill adaptation and the necessity for testers to identify new areas of ownership within AI driven environments. The unique challenges of performance testing non deterministic AI systems also emerged as a critical technical concern.
Most Discussed Tools
While specific tools were not the primary focus of many discussions, certain technologies and concepts related to testing environments and specialized utilities were highlighted. Cloud device farms were mentioned in the context of facilitating real device testing, yet also presented challenges when AI agents passed tests that failed in these real world conditions. Additionally, a specialized browser named “Trowser” was introduced, positioned as a dedicated tool to enhance the workflow of software testers. AI agents and AI systems were frequently discussed as both challenges and opportunities, representing a broader technological category rather than specific tools.
Testing Trends to Watch
Looking ahead, several key trends from this month’s software testing podcasts merit close attention. The ongoing integration of AI into all facets of test creation and execution will continue to drive the need for testers to evolve their skills dramatically, moving beyond traditional automation. The technical complexities of performance testing for non deterministic AI systems represent a significant area for innovation and expertise development. Furthermore, despite advancements in AI driven testing, the discussions underscored the critical and irreplaceable value of human centered testing, real device verification, and the supportive power of the testing community, reinforcing their enduring importance in ensuring software quality.