Old Testing vs. New Testing

Three waves of test automation have swept through the industry in 30 years, yet the core tester skill set remains remarkably constant. While AI tools now make techniques like model-based testing accessible to everyone, they expose a hard truth: testers who use AI will replace testers who don't, but AI won't replace testers who think critically. The real value of frameworks like ISTQB certification lies not in the certificate itself, but in creating a shared vocabulary that lets testers from telecom, finance, and web development finally speak the same language about strategy, risk, and quality.

Podcast Episode: Old Testing vs. New Testing

In this episode, I talk with Tibor Csöndes about how testing grew up and where it goes next. We recorded live at HUSTEF in Budapest, a conference he helped shape. Tibor shares telco roots where automation was normal. Tools change, thinking stays. He sees AI as a third wave after CATG and model based testing. Helpful, not a job thief. Use it, or the testers who do will take your seat. ISTQB gave us a common language across industries. Learn the basics, automation, AI, and the human stuff like clear messages and critical thinking.

"Those testers will take our job who are using AI from those who don't use AI." - Tibor Csöndes

Tibor Csöndes is a highly skilled Hungarian engineer and manager specializing in telecommunication and software testing. He's a veteran at Ericsson Hungary Ltd., R&D, having started his career there in 1997.

He currently works as a Line Manager (since 2009), handling people management and leading various engineering teams in areas like Component Development and MTAS&CSCF. Before his managerial role, he was a Test Architect and Senior Specialist, contributing to the TTCN-3 standardization within ETSI.

Tibor holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). He remains active in academia as an Honorary Associate Professor at BME, where he supervises students and researches using optimization methods to solve complex testing problems. He's a prominent figure in the industry as the President of the Hungarian Testing Board (ISTQB member board) since 2018. Critically, he is the Head of Organization for the well-known HUSTEF conference, a major identified event in the European software testing community.

Highlights der Episode

• Testers who use AI will replace testers who don't—not AI replacing testers entirely.
• ISTQB's greatest achievement is creating a common language across different testing industries and roles.
• Test automation dominated telco 25 years ago due to well-defined protocols, not recent trends.
• Testers must communicate bad news effectively—finding bugs makes you helpful, not the enemy.
• Community involvement beats passive learning—Hungarian Testing Board proves small countries build massive impact.

The Ever-Evolving Role of the Software Tester: Past, Present, and Future

A Conference Rooted in Community and Innovation

During a special episode of “Software Testing Unleashed,” recorded live from the HUSTEF Conference 2025 in Budapest, Richie welcomed veteran tester and community leader Tibor Csöndes for a candid conversation about the transformation of the software testing profession. Both speakers highlighted not only the technical changes but also the importance of community, learning, and adaptability in the world of software quality.

The Early Days: Divisions and Discoveries

Richie set the stage by describing the atmosphere of HUSTEF and the pivotal role Tibor played in building and sustaining the conference over the years. Diving into his personal history, Tibor reflected on entering the testing industry almost 30 years ago, at a time when software testing and development were markedly separate disciplines.

He recounted working in the telco industry, where test automation became essential much earlier than in other sectors due to strict protocol definitions. “Testing was meant for me test automation,” Tibor said, explaining how even as a student, he collaborated on building test automation tools. The early divisions between tester and developer roles were, in his experience, bridged only by those who worked in research or specialized tool development.

Breaking Down Barriers: Collaboration Over Competition

One recurring theme was the need to connect testers and developers. Richie pointed out that today’s agile processes encourage collaboration between these roles, something that Tibor saw as his mission two decades ago. “We have to break these long distances and bridges and we have to connect them to each other and let's work together,” Tibor emphasized. While progress has been made, it remains a continuing journey for the profession.

Shifts in Tools and Technology: From CATG to AI

When asked about changes over the last 25 years, Tibor noted the dramatic evolution in tools. From proprietary programming languages and vendor-supported tools in the 90s, the industry moved through phases like computer-aided test generation (CATG) and model-based testing. These innovations often stumbled on complexity and limited accessibility.

Now, AI is coming to the forefront. “AI is better because it's much more widely used. … More testers can use it, much easier to use it, much more understandable,” Tibor said. But he cautioned that tools are only as good as the critical thinking and expertise behind them: “Help us and not replace us.”

Richie agreed, noting how AI makes modeling and requirement analysis easier but doesn’t substitute for the human element—the process of questioning, reflecting, and thinking critically remains key.

The Enduring Importance of Learning

The conversation turned to learning and professional development. Tibor stressed the value of ongoing education, from attending conferences like HUSTEF to taking part in ISTQB training and certification courses. The ISTQB’s greatest contribution, he argued, is the establishment of a common language for testers and developers, helping standardize terminology and frameworks across industries.

As AI takes a bigger role in automation, testers must equip themselves with foundational theory, technical skills, and an openness to new tools. "Those testers will take our job who are using AI from those who don't use AI," he warned, emphasizing the need to stay current.

Beyond Technology: Communication and Community

Technical skills alone aren’t enough. Tibor highlighted the critical need for communication skills, particularly when conveying difficult news, and personal qualities like curiosity and critical thinking. These soft skills, he suggested, are just as vital as knowing the latest tools.

The Hungarian Testing Board’s community-centric approach, exemplified by the Gustev Conference and local learning platforms, aims to foster connections and collaborative learning, expanding opportunities for testers to grow together. Upcoming initiatives like testing hackathons (“testathons”) are designed to bring in practitioners who might not otherwise participate in formal communities or standardization—diverse pathways to engagement.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Community

Richie closed by echoing Tibor's vision: continued internationalization, openness, and making the world of software testing accessible to all. Whether you’re joining as a community member, seeking certification, or presenting at a conference, participation and shared learning remain the keys to an evolving and resilient profession.

The role of the software tester has changed significantly, but the core principles—critical thinking, ongoing learning, and community—remain. As tools evolve and AI becomes commonplace, testers who embrace new technology while holding onto these enduring skills will help shape the future of software quality for years to come.