Are you prepared to lead the charge in redefining quality standards for AI-powered applications? As AI revolutionizes industries, traditional testing methods fall short in addressing the unique complexities of AI systems. This presentation will empower Quality Engineers and Managers with the tools, strategies, and frameworks to tackle these challenges head-on and elevate their quality engineering practices.

We’ll explore proven methods for testing AI systems, focusing on critical quality attributes such as accuracy, robustness, interpretability, and fairness. By addressing challenges like data variability, model uncertainty, and ethical considerations, I’ll share practical solutions and insights that can transform how your organization approaches quality. From building resilient testing frameworks to leveraging cutting-edge tools and automation, this talk offers actionable steps to ensure your AI applications not only perform reliably but also align with the highest ethical standards.

• Attendees will gain a clear understanding of future trends in AI quality engineering and how to position themselves as leaders in this rapidly evolving space. This is more than a presentation—it’s a call to action to embrace innovation, foster trust in AI systems, and set the benchmark for quality in the age of intelligent software.
• Leave equipped with practical takeaways, strategic insights, and the confidence to lead your team and organization into the future of AI-powered quality engineering. Don’t just adapt—thrive in the AI era.

In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, the shift from manual testing to automation is not just a trend—it’s a necessity for teams looking to enhance efficiency and quality. This topic explores the journey of transforming a team of manual testers into proficient automation testers, even when starting with simple tools. We will discuss strategies for gaining buy-in from team members, addressing their concerns, and fostering a culture of innovation and learning. As a manager, you will learn how to lead this transition effectively, providing support and resources to empower your team, while also highlighting the benefits of automation in delivering faster and more reliable results. Join us to discover practical steps and insights that will help you guide your team confidently into the future of testing.

• Understanding the Benefits of Automation:** Learn how automation can enhance testing efficiency, reduce time-to-market, and improve overall software quality, making a compelling case for the transition.

• Gaining Team Buy-In:** Discover effective strategies for communicating the value of automation to your team, addressing their concerns, and fostering enthusiasm for the change.

• Step-by-Step Transition Plan:** Explore a structured approach to transitioning from manual to automation testing, including starting small with simple tools and gradually scaling up.

• Continuous Learning and Support:** Understand the importance of providing ongoing training and resources to help team members develop their automation skills and stay engaged throughout the process.

• Cultivating a Culture of Innovation:** Learn how to create an environment that encourages experimentation, collaboration, and a growth mindset, enabling your team to embrace automation as a valuable addition to their skill set.

Thinking about taking the leap into QA leadership—or already navigating your first steps as a new manager? The move from individual contributor to team lead is one of the most meaningful transitions in a QA career. It’s not just a change in role, but a transformation in perspective.

In this talk, we’ll explore how leadership reshapes your approach to everyday challenges. The session is divided into two parts:

• Part 1: We’ll look at real-world scenarios—giving and receiving feedback, handling conflict, and discussing pay or promotions—from the viewpoint of a QA individual contributor.
• Part 2: We’ll revisit those same situations through the lens of a QA manager, exploring how the dynamics shift when you’re responsible for both outcomes and people.

To close, we’ll offer a thought-provoking glimpse into what happens when your career evolves even further—when you’re no longer just leading a team, but shaping other leaders.

Whether you’re preparing for a leadership role or already in one, this session will leave you with fresh perspective, practical insights, and plenty to reflect on.

• Understand how the same workplace scenarios—such as feedback, conflict, and promotion discussions—are experienced differently by QA ICs and managers
• Recognize the perspective shift that comes with stepping into a leadership role in QA
• Learn how seeing situations through a manager’s lens can improve your communication and impact
• Discover how developing leadership awareness early can accelerate your QA career growth

I lead IT transformation with a focus on building high-performing teams and driving cross-functional change. Skilled in stakeholder management, agile delivery, and cost optimization, I thrive in fast-paced environments—partnering with executives to deliver value, improve performance, and lead mission-critical initiatives across industries and geographies.

I’ve spent 12 years leading software teams to build intuitive UI stacks and developer tools that empower productivity— at Fidelity, MathWorks, and DXC. Now, I’m diving into apps that reason, blending my passion for clean design with intelligent functionality. Let’s connect on the future of software!

Senior Performance Architect specializing in cloud-native performance, SRE, and GenAI. Expert in AWS, LoadRunner, Dynatrace, and Splunk ITSI. I lead large-scale cloud migrations, automate performance insights with AWS Bedrock, and drive innovation in observability, chaos engineering, and AI-driven system resilience. AWS Community Builder and industry thought leader.

Prabu Vajjiram defines long-term engineering strategies, including roadmaps, tools, and frameworks. He collaborates on architecture and integrations, mentors engineering teams, and ensures delivery excellence across all software initiatives.