The Future of Quality: QA Professionals Embracing AI
QA professionals are finding innovative ways to adapt to the rapidly changing software testing landscape. According to the 2025 State of Software Quality Report by Katalon, testers are using AI tools faster than ever, despite fears of job loss. The report reveals that those with stronger AI fluency are not only more effective in their roles but also more likely to adopt AI-driven testing practices.

Key Takeaways from the Report

• Testers using AI tools are twice as likely to fear being replaced by them, a paradox that underscores the profession’s evolving relationship with automation.
• Those with higher AI fluency excel not just at using new tools but in test planning, problem-solving, and applying AI concepts in real-world scenarios.
• 67% of teams are investing in continuous learning, while 53% are adopting AI-driven testing practices to stay ahead.
• 77% of respondents say aligning QA with business goals has helped improve customer retention.

AI Integration with Human Expertise

The report highlights the importance of integrating AI with human expertise. According to the report, testers who blend AI, automation, and manual testing skills with critical thinking, the new generation of hybrid testers, are leading the next wave of innovation in software quality.

The Happiness Edge

The report also finds that happier QA professionals are more effective in their roles. According to the report, they are 1.4 times more likely to implement advanced automation solutions and 1.4 times more likely to say AI has improved efficiency and automation in their roles.

• According to the report, happy QA professionals are 1.4 times more likely to implement advanced automation solutions (46% vs. 34%).
• According to the report, happy QA professionals are 1.4 times more likely to say AI has improved efficiency and automation in their roles (71% vs. 52%).

AI and The Future of QA

AI-driven testing is gaining momentum, with 61% of QA teams adopting it to automate repetitive tasks and free up time for more strategic work. Forward-looking teams are embracing advanced automation tools, augmented with AI, with the potential to make testing more adaptive, efficient, and intelligent.

• According to the report, 61% of QA teams are adopting AI-driven testing to automate repetitive tasks and free up time for more strategic work.
• According to the report, forward-looking teams are embracing advanced automation tools, augmented with AI, with the potential to make testing more adaptive, efficient, and intelligent.

Redefine Quality with AI

The report shows that high-performing teams are modernizing on three critical fronts: adopting AI-driven tools, using modern development practices, and investing in continuous testing.

• According to the report, 61% of teams are adopting AI-driven tools.
• According to the report, 51% of teams are using modern development practices.
• According to the report, 40% of teams are investing in continuous testing.

What the Future Holds

The future of software quality will belong to teams who can combine AI fluency with human insight to lead testing into a smarter, more adaptive era. As organizations modernize, these findings reveal a clear connection between job satisfaction and innovation in software quality.

Quote from Vu Lam, CEO of Katalon

“The shift toward AI-powered testing isn’t just accelerating—it’s inevitable. This year’s report validates what we’ve long believed: QA professionals, the unsung heroes of software innovation, are navigating intense pressure to move faster without compromising quality, and their impact is finally being recognized, with 48% of organizations now viewing QA as a competitive advantage. Looking ahead, the future of quality will belong to teams who can combine AI fluency with human insight to lead testing into a smarter, more adaptive era.”

Key Highlights

• Testers who blend AI, automation, and manual testing skills with critical thinking, the new generation of hybrid testers, are leading the next wave of innovation in software quality.
• Happy QA professionals are more effective in their roles and are 1.4 times more likely to implement advanced automation solutions and 1.4 times more likely to say AI has improved efficiency and automation in their roles.
• AI-driven testing is gaining momentum, with 61% of QA teams adopting it to automate repetitive tasks and free up time for more strategic work.
• High-performing teams are modernizing on three critical fronts: adopting AI-driven tools, using modern development practices, and investing in continuous testing.

About Katalon

Katalon is the category leader in AI-augmented software testing, empowering hybrid testers—those blending manual, automation, and AI skills—to deliver exceptional digital experiences. Trusted by more than 30,000 QA and DevOps teams across 80+ countries, Katalon has been named a G2 Leader in software testing for 11 consecutive quarters. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Atlanta, Katalon helps teams accelerate software delivery and elevate quality through a powerful, integrated test automation platform, empowering them to release with speed and confidence.