Products

Problems
we solve

We can help your business

Request a Free Demo / trial

Insights

Insights | Functional Testing
15 March, 2023

Should You Use AI/ML in Software Testing?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are the talk of the town. The rise of ChatGPT has catapulted these technologies firmly into the mainstream, and you’re increasingly likely to hear them mentioned in everyday conversations at the pub or the gym.

But while these latest developments have taken the world by storm, more nuanced applications have been bubbling under the surface for years.

Far away from the cultural limelight, test automation AI has been steadily making gains and is now a well-established testing approach that can reduce testing time and effort, scripts that heal themselves, while increasing test coverage. It’s fair to say that if you aren’t feeling the impact yet, you soon will be.

In this article, we will explore the benefits and challenges of using AI/ML in software testing, and help you decide if your organisation should be using them already.

The Current State of AI and ML in Testing

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are rapidly changing the face of software testing. In recent years, these cutting-edge technologies have made significant strides in automating testing processes, increasing efficiency, and improving software quality. As a result, many companies are already using AI/ML in their software testing processes.

By far the most mature and real-world uses of AI and ML are assisted scripting, self-healing test automation scripts and cross-browser testing.

  • Assisted Scripting with AI makes it much easier to create and maintain automated scripts. It also makes scripts more readable and consistent.
  • Self-healing test automation is the process of automatically identifying and fixing any issues that arise during the test execution process. This can be done using AI algorithms that can analyse the test results and identify the root cause of any failures.  Once the root cause is identified, the AI algorithm can then generate a fix and apply it automatically, without the need for human intervention. This can greatly improve the speed and efficiency of the test automation process.
  • Cross-Browser testing means that your scripts can operate seamlessly across different mobile devices, browser types, and even different operating systems.

As mentioned above, these aspects of AI/ML are mature and already deployed across thousands of businesses worldwide. They’re no longer theoretical or edge cases. There is no doubt that, where implemented correctly, these technologies make automation easier, faster and more robust.

As well as the technologies mentioned above, there are additional, less mature, and more theoretical AI/ML use cases that we won’t cover in this article. Today we’re purely focused on the here and now, and whether you should adopt proven AI/ML-based software testing technologies.

The Benefits of AI/ML in Software Testing

Hopefully, we’ve adequately set the scene and explained what is currently available. So the next logical step is to ask, why should you be interested? What can these technologies do for you?

Here are some of the key benefits you can expect to see from AI/ML-based software testing:

  • Simple Script Development and Maintenance: One of the most significant benefits of using AI/ML in software testing is increased simplicity. AI/ML makes scripting easier and faster than ever before.
  • Improved Productivity: By quickly automating your testing processes, you allow your testers to focus on more complex tasks
  • Increased Speed to Market: This results in faster testing cycles, reduced time to market, and more efficient use of resources.
  • Improved Accuracy: AI/ML-powered automation scripts can execute tests as often as needed, without the possibility of human error. They can detect even the most subtle defects in software, making them highly accurate. This means that software testing is more thorough and reliable, which helps you stop defects from slipping through the cracks and causing issues down the line.
  • Cost Savings: By automating testing processes and improving accuracy, AI/ML can help organisations save money in the long run. As I always say, when it comes to testing, people are the real cost. Manual testing is time-consuming and expensive, whereas AI/ML-based software testing can be performed quickly, out-of-hours, behind the scenes, and with fewer resources.

The Challenges of AI/ML in Software Testing

Interestingly, AI/ML-based software testing presents fewer challenges than traditional software automation.

As with test automation, you will need to make sure you have the right testing processes in place before you start automating with AI/ML. You’ll need to know your processes and have some sort of requirements coverage matrix in place, also understand defect and QA workflows, all the standard stuff that goes into making a successful testing project.

Apart from that, the biggest challenge with AI/ML in software testing is making sure your resources have the correct knowledge and skills. However, these days there is an abundance of education and information resources available online. Plus, because AI/ML makes things easier, there’s less to learn than with traditional automation.

If we take UFT One for example, there is a dedicated video section of the Micro Focus website full of useful tutorials and information.

Should You Use AI/ML in Your Software Testing?

As discussed, AI/ML is transforming software testing, offering significant benefits in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings.

If implemented correctly, AI/ML can revolutionise software testing, leading to higher-quality software and better user experiences. But is it right for you? And how can you decide?

Is AI/ML right for you?

Well, before deciding whether to use AI/ML in testing, you should consider your needs, capabilities, and resources.

Questions to ask yourself when considering AI/ML:

  • Are you struggling to quickly release software?
  • Would you like to reduce the time spend creating automation scripts and maintaining them?
  • Do you spend too much time testing?
  • Would you like to “do more with less” – to either save money or achieve more with the same budget?
  • Are you testing complex systems?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then it is time to explore using AI/ML in software testing.

See A Demo of AI and ML-based Test Automation

As a next step, why not arrange a demo of AI/ML in action?

OpenText (formerly Micro Focus) UFT One uses AI to identify objects visually, based on a wide variety of images, context, and sometimes text. This leading test automation tool has incredible AI and ML features that enable your tests to interact with the application you are testing in the same way a person would.

UFT One AI can identify many types of search fields, user profile areas, input fields, buttons, shopping carts and more.

  • Easier to edit: Test scripts are more intuitive.
  • Test multiple environments: Tests are technology agnostic so you can use the same script to test different browsers or mobile devices, identifying objects visually, regardless of the technology details used behind the scenes.
  • Test resilience: Tests are easier to maintain, as an object changing location, framework, or even shape, won’t break the test script as long as the object remains visually similar, or its purpose remains clear.

Don’t just take my word for it, why not see it in action?

Get in touch today to arrange a demo of UFT One!

Related Products

UFT OneUFT Developer
Stephen Davis
by Stephen Davis

Stephen Davis is the founder of Calleo Software, a OpenText (formerly Micro Focus) Gold Partner. His passion is to help test professionals improve the efficiency and effectiveness of software testing.

To view Stephen's LinkedIn profile and connect 

Stephen Davis LinkedIn profile

15th March 2023
video to defect

How to Generate Defect Reports from Videos!

Testers can now convert video recordings into detailed defect reports. This groundbreaking functionality accelerates project timelines with AI-powered speed and accuracy. Not only does this technology provide the holy trinity of speed, quality and cost savings, but it also solves a huge—often unspoken—issue on many projects: the breakdown of dev/test relations at the worst possible time.

Video to Software Tests

A Testing Revolution? How to Turn Videos into Manual and Automated Test Cases

Imagine being able to record a user story and instantly turn it into manual and automated tests—how much time and effort would you save? Whether you’re preparing for SIT, UAT or streamlining regression testing, you can now generate manual and codeless automated test cases directly from video recordings, leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to streamline your testing processes.

Test Automation what's new

What’s New: Exciting Test Automation Tool Updates

As great as OpenText is at software development, it’s not always the best at keeping people informed about changes. So, today, I’m sharing a few recent updates to the OpenText automation tools. These are just a tiny sample of recently implemented changes. They focus on cloud capabilities, AI-powered object detection, codeless testing, and streamlined workflows that make test automation more accessible and efficient than ever.

Software Testing in 2030

Software Testing in 2030: 4 Ways QA Will Change

Over the next five years, software and software testing are set to evolve at a rate we’ve never seen. In fact, it has already started. Over the last few years, everyone remotely involved in tech has witnessed the constant change in the way things are done. This seemingly non-stop innovation has been driven by emerging technologies, shifting development paradigms, and businesses reevaluating their priorities… and is set to accelerate.

Software Testers v Rogue AI

Software Testers: Humanity’s Best Chance Against Rogue AI

In the race to protect us against rogue AI, our best defence might not be scientists or politicians, but the often-overlooked heroes of the tech world: software testers. As AI systems increasingly mediate healthcare, criminal justice, and military decisions, this unlikely profession could hold the key to preventing existential catastrophe.

4 testing breakthroughs

Software Testing AI: 4 Breakthroughs You Can’t Ignore in 2025

It’s 2025 and software testing AI can no longer be ignored. AI innovations in software testing can deliver unprecedented efficiency gains and bridge the gap between manual and automated workflows. This article contains four software testing AI breakthroughs you can’t ignore in 2025.

Remote Software Testing

Remote Testing Teams: 4 Strategies to Avoid Collaboration Disaster

It’s been years since the pandemic. Still, many companies I speak to have struggled to adapt to changing practices and have failed to implement effective working habits. Unfortunately, you can’t just continue as if nothing has changed—this approach just won’t cut it anymore. In this week’s insight, I provide four actionable approaches that I have picked up from the many successful testing projects I talk to. These easy fixes will help you prevent collaboration disasters in your remote testing teams.

Top Software Lists

Exposed Why ‘Top Software’ Lists Can’t Be Trusted!

You see them everywhere. Top 10 this, top 20 that. We have all searched for lists that rank products. Whether cars, phones, software, or anything else. But how trustworthy are the ‘top software’ lists on the internet?

How to Choose A Test Management Tool

How to Choose The Right Test Management Tool

Test management tools ensure efficient, effective, and auditable testing processes. When choosing an enterprise-level test management solution, it’s essential to use a proven and trusted solution.

Insights

Search

Related Products

UFT OneUFT Developer

Related Articles

To get other software testing insights, like this, direct to you inbox join the Calleo mailing list.

You can, of course, unsubscribe 

at any time!

By signing up you consent to receiving regular emails from Calleo with updates, tips and ideas on software testing along with the occasional promotion for software testing products. You can, of course, unsubscribe at any time. Click here for the privacy policy.

Sign up to receive the latest, Software Testing Insights, news and to join the Calleo mailing list.

You can, of course, unsubscribe at any time!

By signing up you consent to receiving regular emails from Calleo with updates, tips and ideas on software testing along with the occasional promotion for software testing products. You can, of course, unsubscribe at any time. Click here for the privacy policy.