The STARWEST Virtual Attendee Experience

K2

Filip Hric
Qodo

KEYNOTE | Tester 2.0—Becoming Indispensable in the Age of AI

Over the past few months, it has become clear that human testing expertise isn't going anywhere. However, surviving the AI era is not the same as thriving in it; simply "not being replaced yet" isn’t the same as being future-ready. With code being produced faster than ever and teams getting leaner, there seems to be a growing gap between code velocity and code quality. Are we just going to have to live with the fact that software quality is in decline? The answer is "no, but..." While some things stay the same, testers of tomorrow need to prepare for the trials ahead. Advocates for quality need to make their voices heard now more than ever, but their strategies and approaches must evolve. In this keynote, Filip will explore the unique strengths that make testers indispensable, while taking a sober look at realities that challenge the profession. He will break down which testing convictions need to be fiercely held, which need to be updated, and which must be abandoned entirely. You can call this model "Tester 2.0," and maybe you'll find out that you're already on a path to becoming a true asset for the industry. Join Filip as he digs into the topics of scaling quality, code governance, and bridging the widening gap between development velocity and product quality. Because as teams ship faster, quality assurance can't afford to be left behind.

K3

Alison Wade
Coveros

KEYNOTE | The Future of Test Automation: Trends, Challenges, and Your Burning Questions - Panel

Test automation is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by AI, continuous testing, and the ever-increasing complexity of modern software development. Join us for an engaging panel discussion where industry experts will explore the latest trends in test automation, including AI-powered testing, low-code/no-code automation, and the role of testers in a rapidly changing landscape. This session will also serve as an open forum for attendees to ask any lingering questions from the conference. Whether it’s about the future of automation, best practices, or the impact of AI on testing roles, our panelists are ready to share their insights. Come prepared with your toughest questions and join the conversation on what’s next in software testing!

K4

Kulas Angeles
Sun Life

KEYNOTE | The Quality Engineering Mindset: High-Performance Frameworks for Career and Personal Growth

Success in software testing depends on more than technical know-how—it requires a unique set of skills that can elevate both your work and your personal growth. The mindset, habits, and analytical approach testers develop are powerful assets for thriving in an ever-changing world. The core skills honed as a tester—curiosity, critical thinking, adaptability, and clear communication—are exactly what you need to solve complex problems, make smart decisions, and drive improvement in any domain. Kulas explores how the essential skills of a software tester—like questioning assumptions, focusing on what matters most, and balancing evidence with intuition—equip you for ongoing success. By thinking like a tester, you can approach your career, projects, and personal challenges with a problem-solving mindset that leads to continuous growth and better results. You'll discover how to build practical frameworks for success by defining clear goals, prioritizing your energy where it counts, and knowing when to trust data versus your instincts. By connecting core tester skills with everyday challenges, this session provides practical strategies for making better decisions and staying adaptable in any situation. Improving your life and career isn't always about dramatic change—it's about recognizing that the skills you've built as a tester are the same ones that help you adapt, grow, and succeed everywhere.

K5

Chris Loder
Privacy Analytics

KEYNOTE | Cartoon Logic, Real Automation: What We Learned from Saturday Morning Cartoons

Do you remember sitting in front of the TV on Saturday mornings, bowl of cereal in hand, glued to your favorite cartoons? In this interactive session, Chris Loder brings that nostalgia to life, and invites you to help connect the dots between classic cartoon wisdom and modern test automation practices. Through real-time audience participation, live polls, and open discussion, we'll explore how characters like Scooby Doo®, Wile E. Coyote®, and Bugs Bunny® accidentally (or cleverly) taught us principles that apply directly to automation strategy, code reuse, and team collaboration. What can Spiderman®'s animators teach us about efficiency? What could we have done better if we "took that left turn at Albuquerque"? You'll help decide where the conversation goes! Chris shares how these cartoon-inspired insights have helped shape the automation frameworks he's built over his 30-year career, and you'll be encouraged to share your own "cartoon moments" and automation lessons. Come ready to laugh, think, share, and maybe even shout out your favorite cartoon catchphrase. Come for the 'toons, leave with the lessons!