The podcast returns after a break, marking the beginning of the year with a discussion on new year goals and challenges, as well as updates on the MOT Ambassadors Program. The topic of AI and its role in testing is also explored, with a focus on using AI as a tool to enhance work, but emphasizing the importance of human oversight and accountability.

MOT This Week in Testing

MOT - This week in Testing - Varied hosts, group chat, often with community questions and involvement. Show notes have a full transcript.

• https://www.ministryoftesting.com/podcasts
• https://www.ministryoftesting.com

Episode Details

• Show Notes: https://www.ministryoftesting.com/podcasts/this-week-in-testing?wchannelid=czgwdadw2c&wmediaid=u86b34h5vb
• Published: 2026-01-09T14:53:57Z
• Duration: 50:59
• Author: Unknown

Overview

The podcast examines the return of This Week in Quality, outlining plans for the year with a focus on goal setting, the MOT Ambassadors Program, and community events like the Moticon One Day Conference and Leading with Quality Day. It highlights Bens’ work in test automation and release testing, as well as efforts to improve software testing through live, interactive sessions. The discussion emphasizes the role of AI in supporting software testing, highlighting its value beyond replacing human judgment but offering tools to aid in exploratory testing, risk assessment, and test planning when supported by proper documentation. Community activities encourage participation in goal sharing and discussions on the impact of AI on testing roles and quality assurance. The podcast underscores the importance of human insight, accountability, and continuous learning in achieving quality through these initiatives.

What If

• What if you applied to become an MOT Ambassador this week?
  Move: Submit an application to the MOT Ambassadors Program, highlighting your experience in software testing and your commitment to community growth.
  Why now: The program is open for reapplications and new candidates, and aligning with MOTs vision can grant you access to exclusive resources, events, and networking opportunities.
  Expected upside: Increased visibility in the testing community, early access to events like Moticon and Leading with Quality Day, and potential collaboration on future software testing initiatives.

• What if you used AI to accelerate your test automation, but only after improving your documentation?
  Move: Audit and update your projects documentation (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, architecture diagrams) to ensure clarity before using AI tools like GitHub Copilot for test automation.
  Why now: The text emphasizes that poor documentation hinders AIs usefulness, and the community is actively sharing AI use cases in testing.
  Expected upside: AI tools will provide more accurate suggestions, reducing errors like syntax mistakes in test IDs and saving time on manual adjustments.

• What if you shared a SMART goal for 2026 tied to AI-assisted testing, using the #my-goals hashtag?
  Move: Post a specific, measurable goal (e.g., Implement AI-driven exploratory testing for 3 projects by Q3) on the Ministriotesting profile with the hashtag #my-goals.
  Why now: The show is promoting goal-setting for 2026, and community contributions are already featured as inspiration.
  Expected upside: Accountability through public commitment, potential recognition from the MOT team, and alignment with the years focus on filling MOT profiles to boost career growth.

Takeaway

• Participate in the MOT Ambassadors Program: Apply for the MOT Ambassadors Program via the provided link to represent the community and enhance your profile while contributing to quality-focused initiatives.
• Set Personal Goals with the BAT Challenge: Share your 2026 goals on the Ministriotesting profile using the hashtag #my-goals to leverage the community for accountability and inspiration.
• Plan and Promote Software Testing Live Events: Express early interest in the “Software Testing Live” sessions to influence scheduling and actively engage in collaborative, interactive testing workshops.
• Leverage AI Tools with Context and Documentation: Use AI for tasks like test automation or code generation, but ensure you provide clear context (e.g., JIRA, RCA, Confluence) and maintain thorough documentation to avoid errors and improve AI accuracy.
• Optimize Testing Workflows with AI-Enhanced Exploration: Use AI to assist in exploratory testing by analyzing user stories, identifying risks, and generating test plans, but always validate AI outputs manually and refine them with domain-specific knowledge.