TestGuild Automation Podcast

Flaky Playwright tests got you down? Discover Vibe Testing, a new AI-driven approach that lets Playwright tests understand design intent, adapt to UI changes, and self-heal intelligently. In this episode, Joe Colantonio talks with Vasusen Patil, Co-Founder and CEO of Donobu, about how their platform extends Playwright with AI-powered “Vibe Testing.” You’ll discover how this approach blends visual assertions with contextual understanding to build resilient, low-flake tests that keep shipping smooth. You’ll take away: What “Vibe Testing” really means and why it’s a game-changer How AI-authored Playwright tests can self-heal without false positives The key to balancing autonomy with tester control Why Donobu’s local-first model keeps your data safe while cutting test flakiness under 2 % How to try Donobu’s free Playwright AI toolkit If you want to see where test automation is heading next — and how to future-proof your QA career — don’t miss this one.

Did you know that Playwright offers an elegant, unified framework that seamlessly integrates both UI and API testing within a single language and test runner? Don't miss the early bird Automation Guild discount: https://testguild.me/ag26early This episode explores how Playwright empowers teams to simplify test maintenance, eliminate silos between dev and QA, and gain true full-stack confidence. You’ll discover: How to make your tests 10x faster and more reliable by using API requests for setup instead of brittle UI flows. How to write hybrid tests that validate both UI actions and backend APIs in a single flow. A modern, unified testing strategy that reduces operational friction and helps teams deliver high-quality applications with confidence. Our guest, Naeem Malik, brings 15 years of QA and automation expertise. As the creator of Test Automation TV and bestselling Udemy courses, Naeem specializes in making complex test automation concepts simple, practical, and impactful for engineering teams. Whether you’re a QA leader, automation engineer, or DevOps practitioner, this episode will give you the tools to rethink your testing strategy and unlock the power of Playwright.

Are your tests falling behind your requirements? Check out our new AI Requirement course here: https://testguild.me/aireqcourse In this special highlight episode, Joe Colantonio shares lessons from a new course created with Keysight: Turning Requirements into Reliable Tests with AI-Augmented Design. You’ll hear from AI strategist Noelle Russell, Keysight’s Chief AI Officer Jonathon Wright, and product expert Ian Sharp as they explore: Why responsible AI is like raising a baby tiger — exciting but dangerous if ignored. The hidden costs of manual test design and why happy-path testing isn’t enough. How AI-powered tools like Keysight Generator transform natural language requirements into reliable, traceable test cases in minutes. If you’re a tester, automation engineer, or QA leader looking to cut weeks of manual scripting, improve coverage, and finally align tests with real requirements — this episode is for you. Check out the full Keysight course here: https://testguild.me/aireqcourse Become one of our Automation Guild 2026 speakers: https://testguild.me/agspeak

Scaling CI/CD for mobile apps is hard. Faster test runs often lead to more tests, more infrastructure, and more complexity. So how do you keep your pipelines healthy and reliable while still shipping at speed? In this episode, we sit down with Anton Malinski of Marathon Labs to explore the real-world lessons he’s learned building and optimizing mobile CI/CD pipelines. You’ll discover: How to scale mobile test automation without introducing friction What “healthy CI growth” looks like in practice Why real devices still matter, even with a massive emulator fleet How backend mocking and dedicated mobile API gateways transform shift-left testing Practical advice for teams evolving from weekly releases to on-every-commit confidence Whether you’re a QA leader, automation engineer, or DevOps practitioner, this conversation gives you the insights and metrics you need to take your mobile testing pipelines to the next level.

In this episode of the TestGuild Automation Podcast, Joe Colantonio sits down with Jason Huggins—the original creator of early versions Selenium, Appium, and Sauce Labs—to discuss his latest project: Vibium. Not sure what tool to use? Try my free Test Tool Matcher now: https://testguild.me/toolmatch Jason describes Vibium as “Selenium for AI,” designed to fix flaky WebDriver tests and leverage AI for smarter, model-based testing. We explore why AI-driven automation is the next wave, how WebDriver BiDi changes the game, and what QA leaders need to know about the rise of “vibe coding.” If you’ve been wondering what comes after Selenium and Playwright, this is a must-listen. Get insider insights from the creator who helped shape modern testing—and is now building its AI-powered future.

In this episode of the TestGuild podcast, Joe Colantonio sits down with Ben Fellows, founder of LoopQA and QA thought leader, to explore how AI is reshaping test automation. Ben shares lessons from his popular AI test automation workshops, diving deep into topics like: How AI turns hours of page object coding into minutes Why “augmented coding” beats “vibe coding” for serious QA work Practical ways teams can leverage Cursor, Playwright, and AI to boost productivity What QA leaders need to know about shifting roles, scaling code reviews, and IT security concerns Key trends coming in 2026 that could redefine how we write tests Whether you’re curious about AI’s real impact on QA, looking for ways to speed up your automation, or wondering what’s next for Playwright and MCP, this conversation will give you actionable insights and inspiration.

In this episode of the TestGuild Podcast, Joe Colantonio chats with veteran QA leader Jim Trentadue about how artificial intelligence is reshaping software testing—and what testers can do to stay ahead. With nearly three decades in the industry, Jim shares hard-earned lessons from his own career, insights into balancing speed and quality in agile teams, and a candid look at AI’s potential risks and rewards for testers. You’ll hear why embracing AI tools, from agentic workflows to prompt engineering, is no longer optional, and why deep testing expertise is still your most valuable asset. Whether you’re a manual tester, automation engineer, or QA leader, this conversation will help you future-proof your career in the rapidly evolving world of software quality.

In the age of AI, the role of software testers is evolving fast. Don't miss the QA Summit: https://testguild.me/qasummit As more repetitive tasks are automated or handled by AI, the testers who will stand out are those who lead, influence, and bring deep subject matter expertise to their teams. In this exclusive replay from a private Automation Guild 2025 monthly gathering, testing leader Mike Lyles shares exactly how to build those skills — and position yourself for long-term success in the AI era.  You’ll learn how to expand your leadership influence, strengthen your domain expertise, and future-proof your career as testing continues to evolve. Normally reserved for year-round Automation Guild members, this session is a rare peek into the kind of ongoing training and community support that keeps testers sharp all year long. If you want to be part of conversations like this — plus dozens of expert sessions, networking opportunities, and live Q&A,, keep your eyes open for Automation Guild 2026 early bird registration.

On this episode of the TestGuild Automation Podcast, host Joe Colantonio welcomes Matt Gilbert, founder of Clear Insight, for a conversation packed with practical wisdom for testers looking to break into, or advance in, modern software quality practices. Drawing on his experience working across industries such as insurance, healthcare, and SaaS, Matt shares how he transitioned from an aspiring developer to a passionate advocate for testing. They dive deep into the challenges of uniting disparate testing tools, making complex data from performance, accessibility, and security checks accessible to all team members, and the critical importance of educating both testers and business leaders about quality risks. Matt discusses how Clear Insight was born from the need to simplify usability and performance feedback, making actionable insights available for everyone, regardless of technical background. Plus, you’ll hear Matt’s take on using AI responsibly in regulated spaces and his advice for testers who want to expand their role beyond functional testing. Whether you’re new to automation, a testing veteran, or curious about the growing intersection of AI and quality engineering, this episode has actionable strategies and real-world stories you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of the TestGuild Automation Podcast, I'm joined by Don Jackson, Technical Evangelist at Perforce, to explore a bold new frontier in automation testing: true agentic AI. We unpack the groundbreaking tech behind Perfecto's latest release and what it means to test smarter, faster, and with zero hassle. Don shares how this new form of automation, powered by natural language, computer vision, and LLMs, lets you test like a human but with the speed of AI. No scripts. No frameworks. No brittle locators. Just plain-language instructions that drive real user-experience testing at runtime. You'll learn: What "agentic AI" really means and how it goes beyond traditional test automation How to run intelligent UI tests across devices without writing a single script Why this approach could finally bring automation to business testers and non-coders Real-world use cases, from validating stock charts and UI branding to exploratory testing at scale What to watch out for: prompting quality, performance tradeoffs, and trust Whether you're a skeptical scripter or just tired of flaky UI tests, this conversation will challenge how you think about automation—and show you what's now possible. Want to see it in action? Join the upcoming live demo webinar with Don and Perfecto's head of product: Perfecto AI in Action – Register Here https://testguild.me/donperrfecto

In this episode, Parasar Saha founder and CEO of Digy4 shares insights from his journeys across multiple countries, meeting with global enterprises to uncover real-world challenges teams face in achieving quality at scale. The discussion dives into the importance of data visibility, the pitfalls of focusing on the sheer quantity of tests over their real value, and how testers can transform technical data into business outcomes that resonate with the C-suite. Parasar reveals why most organizations struggle with fragmented tools, overwhelming data, and telling a compelling story about quality's business impact—even in the age of AI. Whether you're looking to elevate the role of QE in your organization, make your testing results more meaningful, or simply want to know how to get a seat at the executive table, this conversation is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking strategies. Tune in and discover how measuring the right things, and telling the right story,can take your automation efforts (and your career) to the next level!

In this episode, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Debbie O'Brien, Principal Technical Program Manager at Microsoft and a leading advocate for Playwright end-to-end testing. Debbie shares her fascinating journey from web design in the late '90s to building and nurturing the Playwright community at Microsoft. Together, they tackle the latest and greatest in test automation, with a special focus on Playwright's Model Context Protocol (MCP) server and how you can unlock its powerful AI-driven browser automation capabilities. From real-world advice on overcoming resistance to testing in teams to the exciting possibilities MCP brings for generating and scaling tests with natural language and AI, this conversation is packed with both practical tips and future-looking insights. Debbie also addresses common fears around AI replacing jobs, highlighting the need for testers and developers to embrace these tools and stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're an automation engineer, front-end developer, or simply curious about where testing is headed, this episode is full of actionable wisdom and inspiration. Tune in and get ready to supercharge your automation skills!

On this episode of the TestGuild Automation Podcast, host Joe Colantonio welcomes Kristijan Plaushku, founder of QA Robots, for a fascinating deep dive into the evolving world of testing and automation. Grab the free Testing Toolkit now: https://testguild.me/toolkit Broadcasting from Italy, Kristijan shares his journey from starting in quality assurance at AS Watson to building his own company, dedicated to reshaping how businesses approach QA, automation, and DevOps integration, with a specific focus on the unique challenges and opportunities within the Italian tech landscape. Together, they explore what it means to apply first-principles thinking in QA, the ongoing struggles with test environment management, and why bridging the gap between QA and DevOps can have such a significant impact on software delivery. Kristijan also shares the growing influence of AI in automation, his passion for the Robot Framework, and the innovative tools he’s creating to help teams work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re an automation pro or just beginning to dip your toes in the world of testing, this episode is packed with practical insights, industry trends, and actionable advice for building better, more efficient quality processes. Don’t miss Kristijan’s take on building a QA culture from the ground up and why human-centric thinking still matters in an AI-driven world.

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Akehurst, the creator of WireMock, the popular open-source API mocking tool now powering simulation at scale in modern development pipelines. We unpack the real-world benefits of API mocking, when to simulate vs. integrate, and how WireMock Cloud is helping teams manage drift, complexity, and change. If you're exploring API testing, mocking tools, or wondering how OpenAPI, AI, and MCP (Model Context Protocols) fit into the picture—this one’s for you.  

In today’s show, we’re diving deep into the highly specialized world of software testing for medical devices. Our guest, Priyank Soni, brings over 20 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge from the front lines of medical innovation, think cardiac mapping, lab automation, and infusion pumps. Not only is Priyank a recognized authority in embedded systems, AI, and machine learning, but he’s also a master at transforming manual QA processes into scalable, cloud-based automated frameworks. Join host Joe Colantonio as he and Priyank unravel the unique challenges of testing in a heavily regulated, high-risk environment where safety, compliance, and innovation must work hand-in-hand. You’ll gain practical insights into navigating stringent standards like ISO 13485, managing risk in legacy systems, and balancing Agile development with rigorous verification requirements. Plus, Priyank shares the real impact of AI and automation in medical device testing—and what the future might hold for testers in this rapidly evolving field. Whether you’re a seasoned QA pro or just curious about what it takes to deliver safe, compliant software in healthcare, you won’t want to miss this episode! Take the first step towards transforming your and our community's future. Check out our done-for-you services awareness and lead generation demand packages, and let's explore the awesome possibilities together now https://testguild.com/mediakit

In this session, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Leonardo Lanni, a globally recognized quality engineer and founder of QA Roots, to explore a cool testing technique: mutation testing and reverse mutation testing. See if your apps are visual perfect with App Percy:  https://testguild.me/apppercy Leonardo breaks down the concepts behind mutation testing, which is an innovative approach to verifying the effectiveness of your tests by intentionally introducing code changes—and introduces the idea of reverse mutation testing, a new technique for ensuring your tests themselves are up to the task. They also discuss real-world QA challenges, practical tooling, and the future of automated testing in an AI-driven world. Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or just getting started in QA, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and fresh ways to look at your automation strategy. Listen up!

On this episode of the TestGuild Automation Podcast, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Damian Synadinos, a multifaceted expert with over thirty years of experience in software testing, public speaking, improv, and more. 👉 Try Percy now and ship with confidence: https://testguild.me/percyvisual Together, they dive deep into the concept of trust in software testing, how it's formed, the dangers of misplaced trust, and why trust is more crucial than ever in today's rapidly evolving world of AI and software testing. Damien shares how his interest in trust grew out of observing its impact not just in tech but in daily life. He highlights the importance of healthy skepticism, effective communication, and critical thinking for testers and organizations at large. The conversation also explores the challenges of navigating deepfakes, the nuance of risk-based decision-making, and the role of curiosity and questioning in creating better testers. Whether you're a tester, developer, or just curious about AI's growing influence, this episode offers actionable insights on trust, risk analysis, prompt engineering, and how to communicate skepticism professionally within your organization. If you've ever wondered what it means to "trust but verify" in a digital age, you won't miss this conversation!

In today’s episode, host Joe Colantonio sits down with Judy Mosley, a QA engineer at TextUs with over nine years of experience in the tech industry. Judy shares her unconventional journey from being a stay-at-home mom to becoming a respected figure in the QA world. She discusses how a development bootcamp sparked her passion for testing and her value in breaking things (and occasionally frustrating developers!). Judy discusses the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and building community connections, especially as an introvert. They also explore the power of writing and sharing knowledge. Judy’s blog posts have even landed in major industry newsletters. The conversation touches on overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing career changes, and leveraging both manual and automation skills to keep growing in the field. Plus, they weigh in on the impact of AI on software testing careers, finding balance between personal growth and demanding schedules, and practical tips for anyone looking to level up their automation testing game. Whether you’re new to QA or looking to reinvigorate your journey, this episode is packed with honest insights, encouragement, and actionable advice from someone who truly understands what it means to keep learning and adapting in their software testing career.

Today’s episode is a little different.  I’m sharing a recording from one of our monthly live Automation Guild member trainings, and trust me, it’s a session every software tester should hear. Get instant access to Automation Guild: https://testguild.me/youtubeGuild  ** Use code youtube30 to get 30% off. We’ll discuss an essential topic for anyone involved in software development: accessibility and the upcoming European Accessibility Act. Listen in as accessibility advocate and testing expert Laveena Ramchandani unpacks what’s coming with the new legislation and why building inclusive digital products can’t wait for the law to catch up. Discover: How to think more accessibly – Spot potential barriers and adopt an inclusive mindset. How to test for accessibility – Use keyboard navigation, browser extensions, automated tests, and assistive tech. How to help teams create accessible content – Apply the social model of accessibility, annotate designs, and follow WCAG guidelines.  Whether you develop, design, test, or lead software teams, especially if you serve European customers, this episode will get you up to speed on the what, why, and how of making your products accessible to all, and help you get ahead of compliance before June 2025 arrives.

In today's episode, I continue my conversation with legendary software testing expert Michael Bolton as we explore the world of artificial intelligence and its impact on testing. Checkout this weeks sponsor:  https://testguild.me/ailowcode I know I tend to have really pro AI testing experts, and I wanted to give another point of view to balance things out. I can't think of anyone more perfect to do that than Michael So, is AI truly the revolution it's marketed to be? Listen to hear how Michael cuts through the hype to reveal what these tools really are: probabilistic text generators that often seduce us with their confident-sounding outputs. You'll discover when AI can be genuinely helpful in testing and when it's likely to lead us astray. Michael shares fascinating examples of AI inconsistencies and explains why the overconfidence these systems project can be dangerously misleading. Whether you're concerned about AI replacing testers or looking to incorporate these tools into your workflow responsibly, this episode provides the critical thinking framework you need. Stay tuned for part two of my conversation with Michael Bolton, where we separate AI fact from fiction in the world of software testing.