Will AI replace Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?

Nothing in this data answers that. It measures whether an AI could halve the time a task takes, not whether an employer keeps the role. 10 per cent of the tasks listed for this occupation cannot be sped up at all.

Which parts of a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester job can AI already do?

9 of the 30 tasks listed for this occupation were rated as ones a chat window could finish in half the time.

How exposed to AI is a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester?

Of the 30 tasks O*NET lists for software quality assurance analysts and testers, 9 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 3 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called

Automation TesterInformation Technology Analyst (IT Analyst)Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)Quality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer)Quality EngineerSoftware Quality Assurance Analyst (SQA Analyst)Software Quality Assurance Engineer (SQA Engineer)Software Quality EngineerSoftware Test EngineerTest Engineer

30%

60%

10%

Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up

30: tasks rated for this occupation
53%: hold a degree, from a survey of 34
190k: people do this job in the US
21 of 36: least protected in computing and maths

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Reachable with a chat window today

Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability
Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures
Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality
Update automated test scripts to ensure currency
Review software documentation to ensure technical accuracy, compliance, or completeness, or to mitigate risks
Identify program deviance from standards, and suggest modifications to ensure compliance
Perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source
Design or develop automated testing tools
Coordinate user or third-party testing

Only with software built on top

Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content
Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers
Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards
Install, maintain, or use software testing programs
Create or maintain databases of known test defects
Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness
Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes
Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, product designs, schedules, or potential problems
Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates
Monitor program performance to ensure efficient and problem-free operations
Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments
Investigate customer problems referred by technical support
Install and configure recreations of software production environments to allow testing of software performance
Collaborate with field staff or customers to evaluate or diagnose problems and recommend possible solutions
Conduct historical analyses of test results
Evaluate or recommend software for testing or bug tracking
Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance
Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements

Cannot be sped up

Test system modifications to prepare for implementation
Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance
Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation

What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.