TestGuild Automation Podcast

AI testing is everywhere — but clarity isn't. In this episode, Joe Colantonio breaks down the real test automation trends for 2026, based on data from 40,000+ testers, 510 live Q&A questions, and 50+ interviews with industry leaders. This isn't vendor hype or futuristic speculation. It's what working testers are actually worried about — and what they're doing next. You'll learn: Why 72.8% of testers prioritize AI, yet don't trust it alone The real reason AI testing feels harder instead of easier How integration chaos is blocking automation success Why "AI auditor" and "quality strategist" are emerging career paths What agentic AI, MCPs, and vibe testing really mean in practice How compliance, accessibility, and security will redefine QA in 2026 If you're a tester, automation engineer, or QA leader trying to stay relevant — this episode gives you the signal through the noise, and a clear path forward. If you're a software tester, automation engineer, or QA leader looking ahead to 2026, this episode lays out what's coming — and how to stay connected. Discount code: 100GUILDCOIN (https://testguild.me/podag26)

This is a special end-of-year episode of the Automation Testing Podcast. With family in town and a busy holiday season, Joe didn't want to skip a week without checking in and saying thank you to the TestGuild community. In this short episode, Joe shares: A huge milestone as the podcast approaches its 13-year anniversary Why the Automation Testing Podcast is moving from Sundays to Tuesdays starting in 2026 How loyal listeners can still get $100 off a full 5-day Automation Guild 2026 pass A sneak peek at TestGuild IRL — live, in-person events coming next year Gratitude for the listeners, YouTube community, and sponsors who make TestGuild possible If you're a software tester, automation engineer, or QA leader looking ahead to 2026, this episode lays out what's coming — and how to stay connected. Discount code: 100GUILDCOIN (https://testguild.me/podag26) Questions or ideas? Email Joe directly at [email protected] As always — test everything, and keep the good.

AI is transforming how software is built, but testing AI systems requires an entirely new mindset. Don't miss AutomationGuild 2026 - Register Now:  https://testguild.me/podag26 Use code TestGuildPod20 to get 20% off your ticket. In this episode, Joe Colantonio sits down with Imran Ali to break down what AI testing really looks like when you're dealing with LLMs, RAG pipelines, and autonomous QA workflows. You'll learn: Why traditional pass/fail testing breaks down with LLMs How to test non-deterministic AI outputs for consistency and accuracy Practical techniques for detecting hallucinations, grounding issues, and prompt injection risks How RAG systems change the way testers validate AI-powered applications Where AI delivers quick wins today—and where human validation still matters This conversation goes beyond hype and gets into real-world AI testing strategies QA teams are using right now to keep up with AI-generated code, faster release cycles, and DevOps velocity. If you're a tester, automation engineer, or QA leader wondering how AI changes your role,not replaces it,this episode is your roadmap.

What if understanding your codebase was no longer a blocker for great testing? Most testers were trained to work around the code — clicking through UIs, guessing selectors, and relying on outdated docs or developer explanations. In this episode, Playwright expert Ben Fellows flip that model on its head. Using AI tools like Cursor, testers can now explore the codebase directly — asking questions, uncovering APIs, understanding data relationships, and spotting risk before a single test is written. This isn't about becoming a developer. It's about using AI to finally see how the system really works — and using that insight to test smarter, earlier, and with far more confidence. If you've ever joined a new team, inherited a legacy app, or struggled to understand what really changed in a release, this episode is for you. Registration for Automation Guild 2026 Now: https://testguild.me/podag26

Performance testing has traditionally been one of the hardest parts of QA,slow onboarding, complex scripting, difficult debugging, and too many late-stage surprises. Try Gatling Studio for yourself now: https://links.testguild.com/gatling In this episode, Joe sits down with Stéphane Landelle, creator of Gatling, and Shaun Brown to explore how Gatling is reinventing the load-testing experience. You'll hear how Gatling evolved from a developer-first framework into a far more accessible platform that supports Java, Kotlin, JavaScript/TypeScript, and AI-assisted creation. We break down the thinking behind Gatling Studio, a new companion tool designed to make recording, filtering, correlating, and debugging performance tests dramatically easier. Whether you're a developer, SDET, or automation engineer, you'll learn: How to onboard quickly into performance testing—even without deep expertise Why Gatling Studio offers a smoother way to record traffic and craft tests Where AI is already improving load test authoring How teams can shift-left performance insights and catch issues earlier What's coming next as Gatling expands its developer experience and enterprise platform If you've been meaning to start performance testing—or scale it beyond one performance engineer—this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to begin.