TestBash: AI OK - Ep 101

In this 101st episode of This Week in Testing, co-hosts Mariem Safi and Demi Van Malcot discuss their excitement and preparation for the upcoming TestBash conference in Brighton. The conversation also explores the current state of the testing industry, including the growing prominence of AI and the importance of professional development.Demi kicks off the discussion by sharing her experience balancing new projects and preparing for her first-ever conference talk, "How to Start Continuous Quality in Your Team." She reveals her nervousness but finds encouragement in the advice, "No one in the room wants you to fail." Mariem echoes her excitement, detailing her own TestBash preparations and the challenge of choosing which talks and workshops to attend from the packed schedule.Judy Mosley and Maneesh Maddala join the conversation on stage to share their perspectives. Judy highlights the value of the conference's focus on foundational skills and career development, noting her appreciation for the agenda's variety over an overemphasis on AI. Maneesh, unable to attend the conference in person, raises the question of live-streaming sessions for an international audience and shares his interest in talks about making work more visible and becoming a "testing generalist."Gary Hawkes, a TestBash newcomer like Mariem and Demi, joins the discussion and talks about his excitement for the event and his plan to meet as many people as possible. The episode wraps up with a fun discussion about creating a secret signal or sticker for This Week in Testing community members to recognise each other at the conference.