Software Testers (QA)
Official O*NET title: Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (15-1253.00)
Also called: automation tester, information technology analyst, quality assurance analyst, quality assurance engineer, quality engineer
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing software testers (qa) work
14 of 30 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 47%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Review software documentation to make sure technical accuracy, compliance, or completeness, or to mitigate risks (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Test system modifications to prepare for implementation (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Design or develop automated testing tools (main task) — a lot of recorded AI use
- Evaluate or recommend software for testing or bug tracking (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Create or maintain databases of known test defects (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Update automated test scripts to make sure currency (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Collaborate with field staff or customers to evaluate or diagnose problems and recommend possible solutions (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Document test procedures to make sure replicability and compliance with standards (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Install, maintain, or use software testing programs (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, product designs, schedules, or potential problems (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Plan test schedules or strategies following project scope or delivery dates (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Monitor program performance to make sure efficient and problem-free operations (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Investigate customer problems referred by technical support (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Identify program deviance from standards, and suggest modifications to make sure compliance (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Install and configure recreations of software production environments to allow testing of software performance (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Coordinate user or third-party testing (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Conduct historical analyses of test results (main task) — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance”. Try the prompt for: “Perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and software testers (qa)
Will AI replace software testers (qa)?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 14 of the 30 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 16 of the 30 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which software tester tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance; perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source; provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.
Which software tester tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content; 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. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 93% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a software tester start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Software Testers (QA) ranks #139 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #23 of 30 in Tech.
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