Richard Seidl
Trends in Testing
The further development of software testing is increasingly characterized by artificial intelligence (AI). Two key areas can be distinguished: the...
The past year in software testing was characterized by central topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) and accessibility. Legislation such as the EU Accessibility Act and the Cyber Resilience Act play a key role here, as they act as driving forces for further development. AI is increasingly being used in the field of testing, whereby it is important to strike a balance between human expertise and machine support. Going forward, these trends and participation in specialist conferences will remain important aspects in driving innovation and best practices forward.
Podcast Episode - Review of the year 2024
In our special New Year’s Eve episode, I sat down with Florian Fieber to review the past year and take a look into the future. We talked about the many conferences Florian attended and the dominant topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) and accessibility. Florian emphasized the importance of legislation such as the EU Accessibility Act and the Cyber Resilience Act, which act as drivers for the topics. We also discussed how AI is used in testing and the need for a balance between human expertise and machine assistance. Finally, we shared our plans for the next year, including more conferences and our work at ISTQB. It was a great conversation and a perfect way to end the year.
“The meta-topic at all corners and ends was of course AI, yes, testing of and with AI completely thought through. There are also the first formats, or actually some of them already, that are really exclusively concerned with testing with AI or by AI.” - Florian Fieber
Florian Fieber studied Media Informatics and Information Systems, after which he worked as a software developer and research assistant. Today, his area of expertise covers all aspects of quality assurance in the software lifecycle, with a focus on test management and process improvement. Since 2018, he has been active in the German Testing Board e.V. (GTB), where he is, among other things, head of the Acceptance Testing working group and has served as chairman of the GTB since 2022.
Highlights of the Episode
- A key topic in 2024 was testing by and with artificial intelligence (AI).
- Accessibility testing played an important role, particularly with regard to the EU Accessibility Act, which comes into force next year.
- Cyber security and the Cyber Resilience Act remain in focus and required a great deal of attention.
- The coming year is expected to see a normalization and greater use of AI in testing, along with an increased focus on agile methods and test automation.
- Low-code/no-code test automation is expected to play a greater role in order to enable greater involvement of business users.
Highlights 2024 im Software Testing: KI, Accessibility und mehr
The big conferences of the year: an overview
In 2023, the focus was on numerous conferences in the field of software quality and testing. The most important events included the Software Quality Days in Vienna, the German Testing Day, TACON in Leipzig and Testing United. These events provided an ideal platform for exchanging information on current trends and discussing new developments in the industry. The topic of artificial intelligence (AI) in particular was omnipresent and played a central role in presentations and discussions. The focus was on both the testing of AI systems and the use of AI to optimize test processes.
AI in focus: Testing from and with artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence has long been a key topic in the testing community. Various events, such as the SIX Info Days or Testing United, were dedicated entirely to the potential and challenges of dealing with AI. The focus was on how AI can be tested, but also how it can make testing processes more efficient. One key aspect was the combination of human expertise and machine intelligence: AI does not act as a replacement for good testers, but rather complements and strengthens their skills.
Accessibility testing: a growing relevance
Accessibility was another important topic of the year, particularly in the context of the forthcoming EU Accessibility Act. This promotes the development of accessible applications and has greatly increased interest in accessibility testing. Legal requirements are often a catalyst for innovation, and so the topic of accessibility has become the focus of many discussions and projects. Companies are faced with the challenge of making their applications accessible to all users, which requires extensive testing and specialized approaches.
New legal requirements: Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience Act
In addition to accessibility, cyber security and the Cyber Resilience Act are also key issues in the testing sector. These new regulations require companies to carry out more stringent tests to ensure the security of their products. Such requirements not only pose challenges, but also offer opportunities, as they focus on essential quality aspects and promote innovation in the area of product safety.
Outlook: Trends in the coming year
A look into the future shows that artificial intelligence will remain a dominant topic. The integration of AI into test processes is likely to normalize, and the tools for testing AI systems will be further developed. In addition, topics such as DevOps, quality engineering and agile methods are becoming increasingly important. Low-code and no-code platforms for test automation also promise to further simplify and accelerate the testing process. Progress in these areas will have a lasting impact on the way the testing community works and open up new opportunities.
Frequently asked questions about Software Testing Trends 2025
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What new trends will shape software testing in 2025?
In 2025, several important trends are emerging in software testing. These include the increased integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning for the automation and optimization of test processes, the increased use of low-code and no-code platforms to make test automation accessible to non-programmers, and an increased focus on the accessibility of web applications in order to meet legal requirements and user needs.
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How is the increasing use of low-code and no-code platforms changing software testing?
The increased use of low-code and no-code platforms in software testing makes it possible to carry out test automation without in-depth programming knowledge. This leads to a democratization of the testing process, as even specialist departments without an IT background can create and execute tests. This accelerates test cycles, improves team collaboration and increases the quality of the software.
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What role does web accessibility play in software testing?
Web accessibility is becoming increasingly important in software testing, as legal requirements and social expectations demand equal access to digital content. Testers must ensure that applications comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to enable users with different abilities to make optimal use of them. This requires specialized testing methods and tools to verify compliance with accessibility standards.
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How does the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning influence software testing?
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is revolutionizing software testing by enabling the automation of test cases, error detection and analysis, and the optimization of test strategies. AI-powered tools can recognize patterns, make predictions and adapt to changing conditions, leading to more efficient and accurate test results.
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What is test environment simulation and how does it contribute to green computing?
Test environment simulation, also known as service virtualization, makes it possible to virtually simulate real test environments. This reduces the need for physical hardware, lowers energy consumption and thus supports more environmentally friendly IT practices in terms of green computing. As a result, companies can improve their carbon footprint and save costs at the same time.
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Why is the integration of quality assurance into the entire development cycle becoming increasingly important?
The integration of quality assurance (QA) into the entire development cycle, often referred to as the shift-left approach, makes it possible to detect and correct errors at an early stage. This leads to higher software quality, shortens the development time and reduces the costs for subsequent error corrections. A holistic QA approach also promotes collaboration between development and test teams.
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What is the importance of mobile application testing in current software testing?
With the increasing use of mobile devices, the testing of mobile applications is becoming more and more important. Testers need to ensure that apps work smoothly on different devices, operating systems and networks. This requires specialized testing strategies, including performance, usability and security testing, to ensure a high level of user satisfaction.
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How does the skills shortage affect software testing?
The shortage of skilled workers in the IT sector means that companies are increasingly relying on automation and the use of low-code/no-code tools in software testing. This means that employees without in-depth programming knowledge can also be involved in the testing process, which increases efficiency and alleviates the staff shortage.
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What challenges does the increasing complexity of software systems pose for testing?
The increasing complexity of software systems presents testing with challenges such as the need for comprehensive test coverage, the integration of different technologies and ensuring system stability. This requires the use of advanced testing methods, automation and specialized tools to ensure the quality and reliability of the software.
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How does the increasing importance of data protection and security influence software testing?
With increasing requirements for data privacy and security, testers need to perform more security testing to identify vulnerabilities and ensure the protection of sensitive data. This includes penetration testing, checking compliance with data protection laws and implementing secure development practices to minimize risks.
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