Testing Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents presents a paradigm shift from traditional software quality assurance. Unlike deterministic, rule-based applications, AI agents exhibit emergent behaviors, learn from their environments, and make autonomous decisions, making conventional test case design and execution insufficient. This tutorial will provide a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges and advanced strategies required to effectively test single and multi-agent AI systems. Participants will learn how testing agents differ significantly from testing traditional software....
Jeffery Payne
CEO and Founder
Coveros
Jeffery Payne is CEO and founder of Coveros, Inc., a company that helps organizations accelerate software delivery using agile methods. Prior to founding Coveros, he was the co-founder of application security company Cigital, where he served as CEO for 16 years. Jeffery is a recognized software expert and popular keynote speaker at both business and technology conferences on a variety of software quality, security, DevOps, and agile topics. He has testified in front of congress on issues such as digital rights mgmt., software quality, and software research.
Speaker Presentations
TA
Strategies for Testing Autonomous AI and Multi-Agent Architectures
NewTuesday, September 22, 2026 - 8:30am
Tutorial
TJ
Accelerate Quality: A Hands-On Tutorial on AI-Assisted Software Testing
NewTuesday, September 22, 2026 - 1:00pm
Tutorial
Unlock the next era of Quality Assurance (QA) by moving beyond simple code assistance and embracing the power of AI agents. This half-day, intensive tutorial offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge Generative AI tools, including GitHub Copilot and leading GenAI Chatbots, to integrate AI at every stage of the testing lifecycle. You will master practical techniques to dramatically accelerate quality, learning how to leverage AI to analyze requirements and identify risks, create comprehensive test cases and data, and accelerate test automation by generating scripts and suggesting...
IND28
AI-Assisted Testing: Using GitHub Copilot and Other Tools to Accelerate QA
Thursday, September 24, 2026 - 3:00pm
Industry Insights
There is no question that Generative AI models can improve the productivity of almost every role within the software development process. However, while a lot of attention has focused on generating software using tools such as GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer, Tabnine, and more, these tools can assist software testers in their job too. Join Coveros CEO Jeffery Payne to explore how Generative AI solutions help software testers generate and supplement tests, create automated test scripts, and even suggest improvements to what you’ve already created. Learn how AI can increase test...
SMT1
Reception and Summit Kickoff: As a Leader, What Is Keeping You Up at Night?
Thursday, September 24, 2026 - 5:30pm
Leadership Summit Session
Kickoff the Testing & Quality Leadership Summit with a reception and some networking.
SMT2
Summit Welcome - Opening Remarks
Friday, September 25, 2026 - 8:30am
Leadership Summit Session
After enjoying the Summit breakfast starting at 8:00 AM, join your moderator Jeff Payne for an interactive day at the STARWEST Testing & Quality Leadership Summit 2026.
SMT4
Summit Lean Coffee: Leadership Secrets from the Room
Friday, September 25, 2026 - 10:00am
Leadership Summit Session
While everyone has their own approach to leadership, we all have our go-to tips and tricks that can help others lead teams, organizations, and ourselves. These may be techniques for motivating staff, growing team skills, managing senior executives, or finding the right people for your organization.
During this collaborative lean coffee session, Jeffery Payne will facilitate a discussion to elicit and discuss those leadership secrets used effectively by Summit participants. Using a lean coffee meeting format, participants will choose which aspects of leadership to discuss, vote on...
SMT5
Think Tank Discussion Parts I, II, III, and Wrap-Up
Friday, September 25, 2026 - 11:15am
Leadership Summit Session
Think Tank Discussion Part I: Problem Definitions | 11:15 AM
Join with your peers in an engaging and highly interactive session to discuss the issues that affect you most. Using answers to the question “As a Leader, What is Keeping You Up at Night?” posed at Thursday’s evening reception, participants will form small groups to work on finding solutions to pressing leadership & management issues. Discussions will review identified issues, barriers to change, and focus on innovative strategies and practical next steps. At the end of the think tank, all feedback will be collected and...