Dean does QA

Have you ever encountered the acronym "MCP" in the context of AI for DevOps and felt a little lost? You're not alone! While seemingly ambiguous, MCP actually refers to three distinct, yet equally critical, techniques that are revolutionizing how we develop, test, and deploy software with AI.

In this episode, we'll demystify MCP, breaking down its three powerful interpretations:

1. Model Compression and Pruning (M...

We dive deep into the world of Agentic AI and its radical impact on software development. We uncover how leading companies like Outbrain and UiPath are already leveraging autonomous AI systems to build flawless software, faster, fundamentally transforming their QA and CI/CD pipelines.

Forget old-school automation. This episode explores the shift to proactive, goal-driven AI that can generate tests, self-heal scripts, and even detect...

The world of software development is rapidly changing, driven by "Shift Left" methodologies and the powerful influence of Artificial Intelligence. Are traditional software testers becoming obsolete? In this episode, we explore the provocative idea that the core job of a software tester is indeed on a path to extinction, as developers and analysts, empowered by AI, increasingly take on testing responsibilities.

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In this episode, we examine how Meta's autonomous testing agent, Sapienz, is redefining software testing strategy and rendering the classic Testing Pyramid increasingly irrelevant. Once a foundational model in agile and DevOps environments, the pyramid prioritized a heavy reliance on unit tests with fewer integration and end-to-end tests. That hierarchy no longer reflects the capabilities or constraints of modern AI-powered te...

In this episode, we dive deep into how cutting-edge AI techniques — Self-RAG (Self-Reflective Retrieval-Augmented Generation) and Agentic RAG — are fundamentally transforming the software testing landscape. From increasing test coverage by 40% at Goldman Sachs to enabling autonomous exploratory agents that simulate users in real-time, AI is no longer a futuristic idea in QA — it’s here and it's powerful.

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In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the software testing landscape. We start with Shopify’s 2025 directive requiring teams to prove that AI cannot handle a task before hiring a new employee. We then examine how Siemens Digital Industries Software is embedding AI into its Tessent testing tools, using analytical, predictive, and generative AI to optimize chip and software testing.

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AI is changing everything, including the world of software testing. In this episode, we break down the real impact of AI on testing careers: Will it eliminate jobs or create better ones? We explore global trends, short- and long-term forecasts, emerging QA roles, essential new skills, and expert insights from WEF, Gartner, McKinsey, and more. Whether you're a manual tester, SDET, or team lead, this one's for you.

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In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most provocative questions in the world of digital transformation: can AI-powered digital twins ever replicate the mind of a human software tester?

Digital twins have transformed industries like aerospace, manufacturing, and healthcare. Now, the software world is asking whether we can virtualize not only the systems under test but the testers themselves. But behind the hype lies a set of...

In this episode of Dean Does QA, I walk through the research and analysis behind my latest article on the dismantling of the SaaS model. From AI copilots to fully autonomous operators, I break down the three phases of this transformation, how traditional SaaS metrics are becoming misleading, and why the next generation of software may not look like software at all.

We explore:

• How AI agents are bypassing user interfaces
• Why workfl...

 Are generative AI’s skeptics right to question its cost, energy use, and unclear business model? In this episode, we dig into the historical parallels between today’s AI challenges and the rocky beginnings of railroads, electricity, and the internet. We examine how previous breakthrough technologies also faced hype, bubbles, and early doubts before reshaping entire industries. If you are curious whether generative AI’s current set...

Is GPT-4.5 poised to revolutionize your testing pipeline? Join us in this episode as we delve into the latest multi-LLM advancements boosting QA automation, code analysis, and defect detection. We break down the real-world performance gains, highlight how tools like GPT-4.5 integrate with open-source models, and explore the competitive landscape reshaping software quality. If you’re curious about AI-driven testing—and the cutting-e...

Why do so many ambitious AI-driven testing initiatives fail to deliver real ROI? In this episode, we explore the seven most common pitfalls—from over-reliance on a single AI model to ignoring the importance of data quality and manual oversight. Learn how to integrate AI seamlessly into your CI/CD pipeline, reduce false positives, and focus your QA team where it counts. If you’re looking to streamline your testing process and adopt ...

Join us on Dean Does QA as I explore Elon Musk’s newly released Grok 3 and its potential to rival established LLM heavyweights like GPT-4o and Gemini. We’ll talk about Multi-LLM RAG (and what it means for QA), Grok 3’s real-time capabilities, and whether 10x compute power truly translates to better testing performance. Tune in for a candid look at the strengths, pitfalls, and untapped potential of this next-gen AI model. 

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Curious whether you should prioritize airtight compliance or cutting-edge AI in your testing strategy? In this episode, we dissect the pros and cons of both approaches—exploring how enterprise-grade security stacks up against rapid, AI-driven innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned QA leader or just diving into AI-powered testing, this conversation will help you chart the right path forward. 

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In this episode of Dean Does QA, our AI hosts Dwane and Rachel tackle the question that’s on everyone’s mind: Who’s actually winning the race in AI-powered software testing? Building on our previous discussion about why AI is the future of QA, we examine the growing “AI maturity gap” among testing platforms. Discover the standout leaders dominating the market, the innovative newcomers aiming for the top, and the reasons some legacy...

In this special episode of Dean Does QA, we unpack the European Union’s groundbreaking €200 billion investment in AI and what it means for the future of software testing. Join our AI hosts Dwane and Rachel as they examine how new funding, emerging European AI models, and high-performance computing resources could help EU-based QA platforms compete with global heavyweights like Functionize and Testim. You’ll also hear insights on ho...

In this very first episode of Dean Does QA, our AI-hosts Dwane and Rachel represent Dean to explore why AI is quickly becoming the new standard in software testing. As release cycles speed up and applications grow more complex, traditional methods can no longer keep pace. Discover how AI-driven testing addresses common QA challenges—like time-consuming manual checks, fragile automation scripts, and limited coverage—by introducing i...