AI in Testing: Innovation or Just Noise? with Fitz Nowlan

TestGuild Devops Toolchain Podcast

Today, special guest Fitz Nowlan, VP of AI and Architecture at SmartBear, dives deep into the ever-evolving world of AI in software testing.

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This episode is packed with insights from Fitz, who shares his front-row perspective on what’s genuinely innovative versus what’s just hype in today’s AI-powered DevOps landscape.

Fitz also tackles hot topics like MCP servers, agentic AI, and the game-changing impact of AI-driven self-healing in test automation. He explores how leading tools like Playwright and Selenium integrate MCP servers, discusses the challenge of identifying meaningful AI features, and highlights practical strategies for evaluating new tech without getting lost in industry buzzwords.

Fitz also offers a behind-the-scenes look at SmartBear’s approach to customer-driven innovation, the evolution of visual and intent-based testing, and how agentic AI might soon revolutionize the role of QA teams.

Whether you’re curious about the pitfalls of flaky tests, the future of test data generation, or simply how to keep up with today’s breakneck pace of change, this episode promises actionable insights you won’t want to miss.