TestGuild Devops Toolchain Podcast AI in Testing: Innovation or Just Noise? with Fitz Nowlan
Apr 30, 2025
Fitz Nowlan, VP of AI and Architecture at SmartBear with a PhD from Yale, dives into the transformative role of AI in software testing. He distinguishes between genuine innovation and mere hype, tackling the complexities of MCP servers and agentic AI. Fitz shares insights on visual testing and AI-driven test data generation, emphasizing user feedback's role in innovation. He highlights the need for companies to adapt and integrate AI while addressing security challenges, ensuring that developers stay ahead in the fast-paced tech landscape.
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Episode notes
MCP Servers Add Runtime Context
- MCP servers let customers plug data into AI at runtime for personalized insights.
- This enhances AI applications by accessing customer-specific data beyond public datasets.
Customer-Driven AI Innovation
- Build AI features based on real customer needs and feedback.
- Use beta programs like SmartBear's Halo AI Labs to validate feature usefulness.
Agentic AI Transforms QA
- Agentic AI can abstract entire QA departments, not just single testers.
- This marks a step-change in value beyond simple AI feature wrappers.