Learn from the Testing Experts
19th September, 2025
RALEIGH
Keynotes
Building the AI Flywheel: Supercharging your Quality Engineering Teams
Takeaways from this talk
- A practical roadmap for AI adoption that doesn’t require waiting for perfect tools
- Framework to build your AI flywheel
- The confidence to lead your organization’s quality transformation, not just be a spectator in this AI era!.
Is Behavior-Driven Development Dying
Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) has been an incredibly influential movement within the software industry for more than a decade. However, not everyone embraces its tenets and practices, especially when they are abused. BDD tends to be loved or hated with little middle ground. These days, many are even asking, is BDD dying? The answer is, certainly not – it is evolving! It is time for us to rethink what it means to adopt a “behavior-driven mindset,” in which we pursue deliverable value over clever coding. It is time for us to recognize that Generative AI tooling can expedite the phases of discovery and formulation together with automation. And perhaps it is time for us to recast BDD as a new movement that transcends the Gherkin and the Cucumber we love (or hate) from the past. Let’s explore the possibilities together in this keynote.
Takeaways from this talk
- To reconsider the principles and values of BDD with present-day framing.
- To recognize that all software development and testing flow through the phases of Discovery, Formulation, and Automation
- To learn how to utilize Generative AI tools to assist the BDD process.
Featured Speakers
Navigating Quality Engineering in the AI Era
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.
Takeaways from this talk
- 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.
Empowering Manual Testers: Transitioning to Automation with Buy-In and Leadership
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.
Takeaways from this talk
- 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.
Testing Frameworks and Architectures
The importance of Testing Frameworks and Good architecture to enhance your testing reliability, repeatability, maintenance, and reporting, and how a bad framework can undo all the good work of a QA team.
Takeaways from this talk
Signs of a good framework and results of a bad one.
Utilizing and Testing Gen AI
The entire way that humanity has built, tested, and shipped software has been flipped on its head with the introduction of LLMs and Generative AI. With how ubiquitous and, to be brutally honest, how unbelievably useful this new technology is, we can’t avoid having it in our products. But we also can’t just make it a part of the standard SDLC. In this talk, we’ll discuss some best practices around utilizing and testing LLMs in this confusing newfangled world we find ourselves in. By the end of the talk, you’ll leave feeling more confident about testing these new computers that act like humans instead of computers.
Takeaways from this talk
Lessons Learned from Real-World Test Automation: Case Studies of What Worked and What Didn’t”
Panel Discussion Speakers
Sunita McCoy
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.
Apijay Kumar
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!
Kavin Arvind Ragavan
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
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.
Antoine Basquiat
With a background in Healthcare & Finances, I’ve honed my skills in Automation Testing. Whether it’s solving complex problems, collaborating with cross-functional teams, or staying up-to-date with industry trends, I thrive on continuous learning and growth. Public speaking has become a passion of my & has lead me to join Toastmasters in order to Speak Professionally. Along with real estate ventures from rentals to lending deals.