Evolve or perish: Agentic AI set to disrupt software testing roles

Artificial intelligence (AI) and agentic AI technologies are triggering a major shakeup in software testing, one of the most traditionally structured functions within the software development life cycle (SDLC).

- AVIK DAS

With AI-driven automation increasingly replacing repetitive and rule-based testing tasks, quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) roles stand the risk of becoming obsolete if they do not evolve.

The Indian information technology (IT) sector currently has over 375,000 active professionals in testing and QA/QC functions across experience levels, according to data sourced from specialist staffing firm Xpheno.

This talent pool, however, has remained largely stagnant, with net growth of under one per cent in the past year (until April 30). The negligible net growth can be attributed to the companies adding only entry-level and low-mid-level employees—those with up to six years of experience. The talent pool at the middle level and above has marginally reduced or remained stagnant.

"The contraction is primarily an outcome of natural attrition not being entirely refilled by enterprises. Overall, the pause in hiring for testing and QA/QC functions in the tech sector seems to be a tactical move to allow 'wait-and-watch' on AI intervention and impact," Kamal Karanth, cofounder of Xpheno, told Business Standard.