2025 brought a mix of hype and realism to software testing. AI raised output in test idea generation, case creation, scripting, and data prep, yet did not replace human judgment. Accessibility moved up the agenda with the EU Accessibility Act. A plugin is not enough. Early design choices and manual checks matter. Signals for 2026 point to agentic AI and a guide role for testers who steer tools and risks. AI literacy spreads across companies.
In this episode, I talk with Florian Fieber about what 2025 taught testers and how to get ready for 2026. AI boosts productivity, it does not replace us. The sweet spot is generation of artifacts like test ideas, cases, scripts, and data. Accessibility grew due to the EU AI act, yet many underestimate the work. A plugin is not enough. You need manual checks and early design. For 2026 we expect agentic AI and a pilot role for testers. AI literacy becomes company wide.
"We are only there because there is the EU Accessibility Act. I would say if that would not be there, this topic would be a nice to have topic. Not for everybody, of course, but for many decision makers who have to spend money and things like that." - Florian Fieber
Florian Fieber is a senior consultant, product strategist, and recognized expert in software quality assurance with more than 20 years of experience in the field. His work at TestSolutions focuses on test strategy, test process assessment and improvement, and the design of scalable QA operating models across the entire software lifecycle. He is responsible for strategic product management and portfolio development for testing services, as well as for internal upskilling and knowledge management in software testing.
With a background in media informatics and information systems, Florian started his career as a software developer and research assistant before moving into quality assurance. He has co-founded several consulting and training companies and has supported organizations across industries in establishing effective and sustainable testing practices. Since 2022, he has served as President of the German Testing Board, contributing actively to the advancement of professional standards and education in software testing.
As 2025 draws to a close, the software testing community finds itself at a fascinating crossroads. On this year’s end episode of "Software Testing Unleashed," Richie sat down with Florian Fieber, Chief Process Officer at Test Solutions, to recap the most influential trends, lessons, and challenges that testers and quality engineers encountered this year—and to peek ahead at what’s in store for 2026.
Florian Fieber brings a panoramic view from his year spent at multiple industry conferences. The dialogue highlights two primary themes: the all-consuming topic of AI in testing, and the steady, regulatory-driven growth in accessibility testing. While both areas have shaped conversations and project work throughout 2025, their scale and complexity are markedly different.
There’s no denying the gravitational pull of AI in software quality circles. As Florian Fieber notes, discussions around "AI in testing" and "testing AI systems" have dominated conferences, webinars, and meetups. Yet, a healthy skepticism has replaced some of the earlier utopian (or dystopian) predictions that AI would replace human testers entirely.
What’s the real impact? Florian Fieber emphasizes AI’s true benefit isn’t in automation-for-automation’s-sake, but in accelerating productivity. AI-powered tools help experienced testers work faster, generate more artifacts (like test cases, scripts, and test data), and potentially undertake tasks that were previously out of reach due to time or resource constraints. However, AI must be paired with skilled, knowledgeable testers—AI boosts efficiency but does not replace expertise.
The talk also notes that, while AI’s promise is recognized, strategic integration is often lacking. Many organizations are still finding the most impactful use cases, rather than adopting AI simply because it’s available. The greatest progress this year came from teams that used AI to generate and analyze artifacts, shifting away from purely analytical tasks.
AI may be catching the limelight, but accessibility testing took meaningful strides in 2025 due to external pressures, particularly the EU Accessibility Act. As Florian Fieber points out, many companies only prioritized accessibility once regulatory requirements became enforceable.
However, there’s a cautionary tale: most organizations underestimated the breadth and depth of proper accessibility testing. It’s not a matter of running an automated browser plugin and collecting a certification. Florian Fieber stresses the need for manual validation alongside technical solutions, with human testers playing a critical role. Accessibility testing, when performed comprehensively, can sometimes demand greater resources than the original build of a website or app.
Another persistent gap exists in organizational awareness. There are still companies that overlook accessibility—sometimes intentionally, sometimes due to lack of education—perhaps because penalties aren’t as severe as those in security or data protection. Accessibility remains wrongly viewed as a "nice to have" by some, despite being a non-negotiable for truly inclusive and compliant products.
Looking into the future, the dominance of AI in testing isn’t fading any time soon. "Agentic AI"—AI agents that assist or even coordinate testing activities—will likely reshape tester roles further. Florian Fieber projects that testers may become more like pilots, orchestrating work with multiple AI co-pilots, shifting their focus from manual execution to oversight, validation, and strategy.
AI literacy will also be critical in 2026. Legislation such as the EU AI Act requires companies to upskill all staff, not just tech experts. Testers should expect to deepen their knowledge of AI technologies, risks, and practical application in their daily workflows.
Testing AI systems themselves (as opposed to using AI for testing) will become more significant for companies whose products include non-deterministic AI components, especially in regulated sectors like healthcare or automotive. Here, thorough quality assurance is paramount.
For testers plotting their learning journey for 2026, both Richie and Florian Fieber recommend a complementary approach: leverage conferences, webinars, online videos, and certifications like ISTQB’s AI Testing and GenAI syllabus. Diverse exposure helps testers recognize emerging patterns, common pitfalls, and industry best practices.
As the year closes, the message is clear—whether your focus is leveraging AI, refining your accessibility strategies, or simply staying ahead of industry changes, upskilling is a must. The software quality space will demand new skills, broader awareness, and a readiness to adapt. The journey continues into 2026.