World Quality Report reveals rise of Gen AI in QE practices

The 16th edition of the World Quality Report highlights the increasing utilisation of Generative AI (Gen AI) in Quality Engineering (QE) and the subsequent evolution in required skills for Agile development environments.

Published by OpenText in collaboration with Capgemini and Sogeti, the report identifies significant advancements in QE practices, particularly through the integration of Gen AI. It underscores the transformed landscape where Quality Engineering transcends traditional testing of human-written code, emphasising the role of AI-generated content and automation.

According to the report, 68% of organisations have incorporated Gen AI into their QE processes, with 34% currently using it and another 34% preparing roadmap plans based on successful pilot projects. A further 72% of organisations reported Gen AI-induced acceleration in test automation, leading to quicker processes and reduced time-to-market.

Muhi Majzoub, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer at OpenText, stated, "The insights from this year's World Quality Report emphasise the growing role of AI and emerging technology methodologies in Quality Engineering, but they also reveal a clear need for organisations to recognise and communicate QE's strategic value.

"As technology evolves, OpenText is dedicated to helping organisations integrate advanced software lifecycle management solutions with Gen AI while ensuring that Quality Engineering remains at the forefront of driving business success."

Additionally, the report addresses the critical need for upskilling, with 82% of surveyed organisations establishing dedicated learning pathways for their teams. However, only 50% of these entities are actively measuring the effectiveness of these programmes, highlighting a gap in ongoing skill development, particularly concerning Gen AI and Agile methods.

Challenges associated with legacy systems are also highlighted as major obstacles to automation efforts, with 64% of respondents finding these systems impede automation initiatives. Moreover, 57% report a lack of comprehensive test automation strategies, further hindering their QE development.

The report also examines sustainability in QE practices, revealing that although sustainability is widely acknowledged as a priority, only 25% of organisations are currently measuring the environmental impact of their IT development.

In terms of testing activities, 44% are tracking their ecological footprint, yet merely 34% are employing efficient QE practices to bolster sustainability. The study suggests a pressing need for comprehensive Green IT strategies across the software development lifecycle.

Mark Buenen, Global Leader in Quality Engineering and Testing at Sogeti, commented, "Gen AI tools and solutions are clearly gaining adoption by quality engineers to assist them in their function and focus on higher-value-added tasks.

"This year's World Quality Report shows a striking shift with a large majority of respondents who are either actively using Gen AI in their QE processes or crafting implementation roadmaps. Beyond its proven impact on coding efficiency and quality, Gen AI has the potential to further accelerate the transformation of quality engineering and create new value for both clients and end users."

The latest edition of the World Quality Report is based on surveys of over 1,750 senior executives across 33 countries and 10 sectors, offering a comprehensive view of the prevailing trends and challenges in QE and software testing practices across various industries.