Will AI replace Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
AI can do 100% of the work Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 12 of their 30 tasks, while 16 more are ready but barely used so far. 2 still need a person.
AI is already doing this12 · 43% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.Mostly automated9% of time
- Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.Mostly automated8% of time
- Update automated test scripts to ensure currency.Mostly automated5% of time
- Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes.Mostly automated4% of time
- Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.Mostly automated4% of time
- Perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source.Mostly automated4% of time
- Design or develop automated testing tools.Mostly automated3% of time
- Review software documentation to ensure technical accuracy, compliance, or completeness, or to mitigate risks.Mostly automated1% of time
- Investigate customer problems referred by technical support.Mostly automated1% of time
- Evaluate or recommend software for testing or bug tracking.Mostly automated1% of time
- Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.Mostly automated1% of time
- Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.Mostly automated1% of time
AI could do this next16 · 57% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.13% of time
- Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.8% of time
- Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.8% of time
- Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.4% of time
- Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates.3% of time
- Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, product designs, schedules, or potential problems.3% of time
- Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness.3% of time
- Install, maintain, or use software testing programs.3% of time
- Monitor program performance to ensure efficient and problem-free operations.3% of time
- Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments.3% of time
- Install and configure recreations of software production environments to allow testing of software performance.3% of time
- Create or maintain databases of known test defects.1% of time
- Collaborate with field staff or customers to evaluate or diagnose problems and recommend possible solutions.1% of time
- Identify program deviance from standards, and suggest modifications to ensure compliance.1% of time
- Coordinate user or third-party testing.1% of time
- Conduct historical analyses of test results.1% of time
Still needs a person2 · 0% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance.under 1% of time
- Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation.under 1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. People in this job already use it heavily. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.
What to do next
- Do the 12 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 16 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Build on the 2 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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