Spare a thought for AI and quality

Let's talk about what really matters. Plus, what's been happening in the world of quality and tech? Discover several highlights from the MoTaverse.

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What's not to love about Brighton Pier on a sunny day? Photo from TestBash 2024.

A screenshot of a software interface against a dark blue background. The left side of the image has large white text that reads "Tests done so fast, your tab's still loading!". Below this text is a button with a purple border and white text that says "Start 21-day FREE Trial". The top left of the image features the "testsigma" logo in light blue. The right side of the image shows several white windows and pop-ups that appear to be part of the "testsigma" software. One window is titled "Aito's Home/ Sprint 8.0.1" and lists different types of files or tasks like "Jira Tickets," "Figma Designs," and "Video Recording." Another pop-up window, titled "Agentic Generation of Tests with Aito," shows a chat-like interface with a robot icon. It contains a button that says "Start Generating Tests." Below these windows is a list of test cases, each with a checkbox, a unique ID (e.g., "TC2368," "TC2369"), a brief description, and a status (e.g., "Acceptance," "Functional").

Try Agentic Test Management free for 21 days

AI Agents for your entire test management cycle - to plan sprints, write tests, run them and report bugs. Try for free.

 

A large grid of headshots, with each person's photo displayed in a separate square. All the photos are on a gradient purple and blue background. The people in the photos are smiling and looking at the camera. In the top right corner is a circular logo with a text reading 'CERTIFICATION MOT' and a star symbol in the middle

19 modules, 59 voices, and a jam packed portfolio to show your growth.

Register for the Software Testing Essentials Certificate (STEC)

 

A screen capture from a video conference or a podcast recording, featuring two individuals in separate frames. On the left is a person identified as "Rosie Sherry." They are smiling and wearing glasses and a headset with a microphone. Behind them, there's a wall with several framed pictures or posters on it. On the right is a person identified as "Nigel Brookes-Thomas." They have a clean-shaven head and are gesturing with both hands. The background behind them appears to be a modern office space with a large window. The top of the image has text that reads, "DOES ANYONE ELSE TEND TO LOOK AT THE TESTING ARTIFACT HISTORY?" The bottom of the image has the website "MINISTRYOFTESTING.COM". There is also a logo in the top-left corner that says "LEADING WITH QUALITY." The overall color scheme is purple.

Nigel Brookes-Thomas - Crafting a legacy of quality: One test artefact at a time

In this episode of Leading With Quality, Rosie Sherry chats with Nigel Brookes-Thomas, Principal Quality Engineer at the DVLA. They explore what it means to “use the engineer word with meaning,” why testing artefacts can outlive the systems they validate, and how Nigel fosters a community of quality specialists in a matrixed organisation. Watch now.

 

A green road sign on a purple moon, pointing to the left with the words "Operational Definitions." In the background, there are two rocket ships, one with a red-faced creature with a shocked expression, and the other with a bug.

Shifting software testing left with operational definitions

Mike Harris shares how operational definitions bring clarity to requirements and support earlier testing.

 

A presentation slide for a talk titled "Tools that help with security testing" by Richard Adams, part of a "404 Talks" series by the website "ministryoftesting.com".

Tools to help you with security testing

In this 404 Talk, Richard Adams walks you through three of his favourite tools for security testing and how they could help you, too.

 

A poster for TestBash 2025 featuring a grid of headshots of the speakers. Below each headshot is the speaker's name. A TestBash Brighton logo is in the bottom left, and a "Ministry of Testing" logo is on a flag on a stylized moon landscape in the bottom right, with the website address "www.ministryoftesting.com/testbash" below it. The text "TESTBASH 2025" is in the center. The speakers shown are: Isabel Evans, Jitesh Gosai, Martin Hynie, Demi van Malcot, Elizabeth Zagroba, Ben Dowen, Cassandra H. Leung, Philippa Jennings, Barry Ehiagiator, Kat Obring, Kulas Angeles, Rahul Parwal, Christopher Chant, Stu Day, David Noorshargh, Beren Van Daele, Stuart Thomas, Carlos Kidman, Joep Schuurkes, Marie Cruz, Lewis Prescott, Ady Stokes, Scott Kenyon, Gwen Diagram, Ash Coleman Hynie, Gary Shannon, Veerle Verhagen. There is also a placeholder for "AND MORE SOON..." with a picture of a robot.

TestBash 🔜

 

The buzz is real. It’s happening soon. And we can’t wait to see you.

See who you can meet.

 

What comes as standard at TestBash?

Diversity of voices

Investment in new voices

Every talk is a keynote talk

Authentic community vibes

Accessibility and inclusivity at the heart

Inspiration to keep you doing your best work

Talks that matter to modern quality professionals

Engaging activities and social opportunities for all

The option to take to the stage as a first-time speaker

Actionable takeaways to bring back to your workplace

Talks will be digitised, but in-person brings deeper connections

 

MoT Professional member? Message us for an exclusive offer! Early bird prices end on August 31st.

Register today

 

The image is a promotional slide for a presentation titled "XRAY AI IN ACTION: TEST CASE & MODEL GENERATION FOR MODERN QA TEAMS". It features a headshot of the speaker, Ivan Filippov, on the right side. The Xray logo is prominently displayed in the bottom left corner. The background is a dark blue with small white dots resembling stars.

Xray AI in action: Test Case & Model Generation for modern QA teams

Whether you’re new to Xray or just AI-curious, this session will leave you with practical insights and live examples. Register today.

 

A blue brick wall with neon-style graphics. In the center is a microphone icon, glowing in blue and magenta. Above, below, and to the sides of the microphone are several stylized planet icons with rings, some glowing in white, some in magenta, and some in light blue. Below the microphone, in white neon letters, are the words "THIS WEEK IN" stacked above "TESTING".

🎧 Listen to This Week in Testing.

TestBash: AI OK - Ep 101.

The community discuss their excitement for TestBash and the value of community support. And ask, is there too much focus on AI right now?

Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts and YouTube.

 

The word "ORACLES" in large, yellow text. A collage of four polaroid-style photos on a purple, starry background. The photos are arranged in two rows. A headshot of a smiling woman with glasses, looking at a man in a black shirt, who is partially visible. A 3D illustration of a tree trunk with roots, and a human brain as the treetop, with the left hemisphere colored blue and the right hemisphere colored in various bright colours. The bottom row has two photos: Left: A landscape photo of a green field under a cloudy blue sky. Right: A close-up shot of a laptop keyboard with a variety of colourful app icons floating above it. The words "ARE EVERYWHERE" appear under the photos on the right-hand side.

Are we losing on learning opportunities because we are so focused on AI?

A short video from the 16th Meetup of Ministry of Testing Athens, featuring Emily O'Connor, Angie Zones, and Ema Zyka.

Oracles are everywhere

404 Earthly Feeling Not Found

Spare a thought for quality and AI

 

What is the Observatory?

GenAI Security Principles

She Codes Quality: Women in Tech Speak Up | Gary Shannon & Nataliia Burmei | Ep.9

Its All About Confidence

How to use bug bashes to build better products and stronger teams

Episode 35 (S5:E5) - Career Growth for Outsource QA

WCAG vs EAA: Understanding where WCAG stops and where the EAA starts

Add a bookmark link to the Observatory today 🛰️

 

Notes of key moments and learnings from Leading with Quality - Podcast, where the guest was Deborah Sherwood

Moments - Leading with Quality - Deborah Sherwood

Rahul Parwal’s notes are gold. What educational notes could you share as a memory post?

 

Image showing four browser windows, each featuring a "404 TALKS" logo and a different talk title. From top left, clockwise: 1. "Tools to help you with AI-assisted testing with Joyz Ng." 2. "Tools to help you with API testing with Julia Pottenger." 3. "Tools that help with functionality testing with Hanisha Arora." 4. "Tools to help you with API testing with Rahul Parwal."

7 talks on everyday tools to strengthen your technical testing skills

Explore tools that help with accessibility, security, API, automation, exploratory, functional, and AI-assisted testing.

 

A promotional image for a webinar titled "Beyond AI: Why Serious Teams Choose Reflect Mobile." The webinar is scheduled for August 28 at 10:00 AM ET and 3:00 PM BST. The image features two speakers: Michael Flaherty, identified as a Senior Solutions Engineer at SmartBear. Melvin Gage, identified as a Solutions Engineer II at SmartBear. The SmartBear and Reflect logos are also visible. A "Register today" button with an arrow points to the right. The background is a solid blue.

Beyond AI: Why Serious Teams Choose Reflect Mobile

Discover how modern teams scale mobile test automation with vision-driven, cross-platform testing that integrates deeply into existing QA pipelines. Register today.

 

⭐️ Stars show you care

Award a community star to a fellow community member. It appears on their profile and amplifies their commitment to the craft. This can have a far reaching positive impact.

+ Award a Community Star

 

A graphic with a purple background. On the left, the words "LEADING WITH QUALITY" are overlaid on a rising bar chart graphic. On the right, a cartoon bug is holding a flag with a bar chart on it.

The Leading With Quality conversations have revealed so much about our relationship with quality.

Want to dive deeper? This September, we're meeting in person to explore new models and collaborate on the future of quality. Register today.

 

The image is an advertisement for "Professional Membership" presented by "Ministry of Testing." The background is a dark purple with what appears to be stars, and in the foreground, there's a stylized, light grey-colored crescent moon. The text at the bottom reads, "FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SOFTWARE TESTING AND QUALITY ENGINEERING."

MoT Professional Membership: For the advancement of software testing and quality engineering.

A deep dive into how we've been expanding our MoT Professional Membership and how you can get involved too.

 

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👤 How to get the most out of your MoT profile: Top tips for maximising value.

Discovering the MoTaverse: 10 steps to get started.

🪐 A Guide to the MoTaverse

Simon Tomes
Simon Tomes
Community Lead at Ministry of Testing
he/him
Hello, I'm Simon. Since 2003 I've had various roles in testing, tech leadership and coaching. I believe in the power of collaboration, creativity and community.
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