In this conversation, Vernon and Richard explore the evolving role of AI in quality engineering and software development. They discuss how AI can enhance quality control processes, the importance of embedding quality early in the development cycle, and the potential challenges and opportunities that arise from integrating AI tools. The conversation also touches on the need for skill development and community engagement in adapting to these changes, as well as the implications for roles within the industry.

Description and Thumbnail made with AI to assess the quality, we had to!

00:00 - Intro
01:02 - Welcome and footy ⚽️
02:15 - Today's topic: The impact that AI may or may not have on Quality Engineering
03:22 - Rich's wild idea about AI and software quality
14:10 - Vern asks a clarifying question
22:45 - Communities of excellence… for machines?!
24:03 - Vern thinks there's an obvious risk that follows from this idea...
31:31 - Rich addresses the risk (Oracles, prompts, and tester superpowers)
36:13 – Reflection: the hidden skill AI forces on us
41:40 – Shifting in all directions (not just left)
43:04 - Feeding your past self into an AI: smart or scary?
45:53 – Operation 400 subscribers (and bot listeners)
47:13 – Tony Bruce calls us out on sloppy show notes and outro

Links to stuff we mentioned during the pod:

04:18 - Shift-Left: The concept of moving testing activities earlier in the software development lifecycyle.
- Some resources explaining the Shift-Left concept (Perplexity link)
25:35 - Rob Bowley
- Rob's LinkedIn
- The post Vernon referred to...
- ...a follow-up post not long after that one too!
26:40 - Alan Page
- Alan and Brent's podcast
- Alan's LinkedIn
34:43 - Saskia Coplans
- Digital Interruption Saskia's cybersecurity consultancy
- REXscan Saskia's automated mobile application vulnerability scanner
- Saskia's LinkedIn (highly recommended follow)
41:49 - Paul Coles
- Paul Coles published 3 of his 4 part series "The Subtle Art of Hearding Cats" over on Dev.To Recommended reading!
- Paul's LinkedIn
43:09 - Maaret Pyhäjärvi
- Maaret's website
- Maaret's blog
- Maaret's LinkedIn