Tuesday, 09 July 2024
As we move into 2024, the landscape of software testing is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in AI and automation technologies. This blog explores the latest tools and trends shaping AI test automation, highlighting how these innovations are transforming the industry and helping businesses bring products to market faster.
Key Trends in AI Test Automation for 2024
- Increased Adoption of AI-Driven Tools: Businesses are increasingly adopting AI-powered tools to enhance their testing processes. AI-driven tools can dynamically generate test cases, identify and fix issues early, and automate repetitive tasks, significantly reducing manual effort and accelerating time-to-market. According to Statista, the global low-code platform market, which includes AI-driven tools, is forecast to reach approximately £51 billion by 2027.
- Integration with DevOps: AI test automation is becoming more integrated with DevOps practices, promoting continuous testing and seamless integration across the software development lifecycle. This integration supports real-time feedback and faster issue resolution, enhancing the overall efficiency of the development process. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines are now incorporating AI to predict potential failures before they occur, making the development process more robust and reliable.
- Focus on Predictive Analytics: Predictive analytics are being used to anticipate potential issues and optimise testing efforts. By analysing historical data and usage patterns, AI tools can predict where bugs are likely to occur, allowing teams to focus their testing efforts more effectively. This approach not only reduces the time and cost associated with software development but also improves the overall quality of the product. Gartner predicts that by 2024, 60% of enterprises will leverage AI-driven predictive analytics in testing.
- Expansion of Self-Healing Capabilities: Tools with self-healing capabilities are gaining traction as they can adapt to changes in the software environment, minimising the need for manual intervention and maintenance. These tools automatically update test scripts in response to changes in the application, ensuring that tests remain relevant and effective over time.
- Codeless Automation: Codeless automation tools are democratising QA by enabling a wider range of professionals, regardless of their coding expertise, to participate in test automation. These tools allow testers to create automated tests without writing code, expediting test creation and enhancing reliability and efficiency across the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The global low-code platform market is forecast to reach approximately £51 billion by 2027, reflecting the growing popularity of these solutions.
- Enhanced Observability: Enhanced observability capabilities are becoming integral to modern test automation. Tools that offer distributed tracing, fine-grained metrics, and detailed logs help teams understand and monitor application performance, making it easier to identify and fix issues early in the development cycle. This trend ensures that applications are monitored in real-time, providing valuable insights that drive continuous improvement.
- Integration with DevSecOps: Security and privacy are increasingly important in QA. Integrating automated security protocols within the DevSecOps framework ensures applications are secure and compliant with privacy regulations. This trend emphasises a "secure-by-design" philosophy, making security an integral part of the development process. With cyber threats on the rise, this integration is critical for protecting sensitive data and maintaining user trust.
- Rise of Playwright: Playwright is emerging as a leading automation tool, surpassing others like Selenium and Cypress in popularity. Its robust API design and multi-browser support make it a preferred choice for web-based automation testing, solving many pain points experienced with older tools. Playwright's popularity is reflected in its GitHub stars, with over 57,000 stars, far surpassing Selenium's 25,000 stars.
Market-leading AI Test Automation Tools
- Tricentis Tosca: Known for its model-based test automation, Tricentis Tosca incorporates AI for smart test execution and maintenance, reducing manual effort and improving test accuracy. Tosca's self-healing AI capabilities ensure that tests adapt to changes in the application, minimising maintenance.
- OpenText UFT One: OpenText UFT One leverages AI to enhance object recognition and test automation. Its Vision AI capabilities enable robust test creation and maintenance, making it a powerful tool for enterprise-level test automation.
Prolifics Testing’s Solutions:
At Prolifics Testing, our expertise in AI test automation enables businesses to implement market-leading tools effectively. As proud partners of Tricentis and OpenText, we provide our clients with the best-in-class solutions tailored to their needs. By adopting these innovative tools, businesses can achieve faster, more reliable, and cost-effective testing processes, ensuring high-quality software delivery. Staying updated with these trends and integrating the latest tools into your testing strategy will be crucial for staying competitive in 2024 and beyond.
Ready to transform your testing process with AI-driven automation? Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve faster, more efficient software releases.
Jonathan Binks - Head of Delivery
Prolifics Testing UK
