beyond finding bugs: the art of problem solving and the AI driven future of QA.

Quality assurance is no longer just a checkpoint in a development cycle; it is a dynamic field that demands continuous learning. As the systems and devices we test become increasingly complex, the role of a tester goes far beyond simply finding errors. While understanding real-world user contexts and collaborating closely with developers have always been at the core of QA, our toolkits are rapidly expanding. Now, testing also means exploring how emerging technologies can make our processes more efficient.

At the heart of this evolution are the curiosity, critical thinking and relentless dedication of our testing talent. To share a glimpse into what modern testing actually looks like, we sat down with three of our colleagues—Elena E, Alexandru S, and Alexandru T—to discuss complex problem-solving, their career journeys and what the future holds for QA.

the complex reality of problem-solving.

Problem-solving in modern QA requires a diverse set of skills, ranging from deep technical interventions to meticulous behavioral observation. For instance, sometimes a tester faces a complete system failure. Alexandru T, highlights this extreme end of the spectrum, recalling an In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system that went completely dark after a software update. “The most difficult bugs I have encountered were situations where the product stopped responding and showed no signs of life,” he shares, adding that bringing it back “required more complex procedures, using specific tools and devices.”

Other times, the challenge isn't a dead system, but an unpredictable one. Alexandru S, dealt with a device that restarted randomly. “It was difficult to investigate because it could not be reproduced through a clear set of steps, which made the identification and analysis process more challenging,” he explains. Fixing it meant relying heavily on analytical skills, requiring “close attention to the device's behaviour and correlating the different situations in which the issue occurred in order to provide relevant information to the development team.”

Beyond hardware resuscitation and pattern recognition, problem-solving also requires deep technical collaboration. Elena experienced this when tackling complex connectivity issues between two ECUs. “Resolving it involved several debugging sessions together with the software development team, which successfully resulted in fixing the issue without introducing any regressions,” she recalls, proving that no complex bug is fixed in isolation.

curiosity as a career driver.

A defining trait shared by our testers is the courage to embrace new information and adapt to changing environments.

Sometimes, this means stepping into uncharted territory. Elena transitioned into testing from a background in networking and telecommunications. “Although it was challenging at first, the support from the team helped me quickly acquire the necessary knowledge and continuously develop my skills,” she explains. Today, four years later, she successfully combines her previous technical foundation with her new QA expertise.

Building on a strong foundation also means knowing when to expand it. Alexandru S, focuses on manual testing to analyze products from the end user's perspective. “I find it particularly interesting because it allows me to analyse the product from the end user's perspective and directly observe how the software behaves in real-life situations,” he notes. Yet, his continuous willingness to learn led him to participate in automated testing training programs to develop a broader perspective on the QA process.

Zooming out to the wider industry, Alexandru T, captures this adaptable mindset perfectly. He points out that testers have to evolve right alongside the technology they test. While the sheer volume of new tools can be daunting, his philosophy is simple and encouraging: “These tools and technologies change from year to year, but once you learn how to work with the first tool, it becomes easier to adapt to the next one.”

embracing the AI era in QA.

As the systems we test grow in complexity, our traditional testing methods must evolve as well. To keep pace with this rapid technological shift, our colleagues are actively exploring how Artificial Intelligence can support and elevate their daily work.

For Elena, this translates into active learning. “I believe the future of testing is closely linked to the integration of Artificial Intelligence and advanced automation. AI can become an essential partner in the automated generation of test cases,” she states. To master what the field has to offer, she is currently taking an AI course.

While new technology brings undeniable efficiency, Alexandru S, highlights the need to balance tech with critical thinking. “AI has the potential to take over or make certain repetitive testing activities more efficient,” he says, but stresses that it cannot replace human context: “The tester's experience and critical thinking will remain important for understanding the context and validating the product from the user's perspective.”

Meanwhile, Alexandru T, demonstrates how these tools can be leveraged right now for everyday efficiency. “Right now, everyone uses AI and some people don't even realize they are using it,” he points out. “I use it when I need inspiration or answers to questions that would otherwise take me a lot more time to search for manually.”