Honoring #IconsOfQuality: Brittany Stewart, QualityWorks

To celebrate the relentless passion of testers, BrowserStack is honoring some of the icons in the testing space—those who push the industry forward by sharing their knowledge with the community at large through their thought leadership.

Some of the most innovative leaders are those who bridge disciplines, bringing fresh perspectives to technical challenges. Brittany Stewart, a Lead AI QA Specialist and one of Agile Testing Days' "100 Women in Tech to Follow," is a perfect example. With a background in creative and brand design, she entered the world of QA with a unique, human-centered lens. Today, she is a respected speaker, author, and thought leader who demystifies AI in testing for the community through her popular blog and social content. Brittany proves that testing is one of the most creative roles in tech, blending visual communication with robust technical strategy to make software better for everyone.

We spoke with Brittany about her hands-on approach to AI, the power of a design mindset, and her advice for those forging their own path into testing.

What are the most exciting aspects of your role as the Lead AI QA Specialist at QualityWorks?

 I get to work with the latest tools, technologies, and processes in AI testing, which means I’m always experimenting with new approaches. Just last month, I worked with a client where we implemented AI-driven test case generation and execution, and saw a 15-minute task completed in under 5 minutes.

This kind of efficiency gain means our team can focus more on exploratory testing and actually understanding user behavior, rather than getting stuck in repetitive tasks. The best part has been sharing what I learn through my blog and on LinkedIn, seeing other testers apply these techniques to solve their own challenges and get comfortable using AI effectively in their QA processes.

What’s a testing trend/innovation that’s got you excited these days?

AI agents doing autonomous and intelligent testing. I’ve been experimenting with a Managed AI Test Squad approach, and what excites me about where AI in testing is heading is that we no longer need to hand-hold the automation. Instead of telling it every step, we can prompt it based on user intent, then watch it analyze, think, and execute - all in less than 5 minutes. Even more exciting is how the AI can think through user journeys and uncover issues I might not have considered myself, which expands the way I approach testing.

The possibilities are endless, but I’ve also learned that having the right strategy is key. That’s why the human in the loop remains important: we have to guide, validate, and keep the testing aligned with real business goals.

What’s your hot take on AI in testing?

AI is your testing partner, not your replacement. I learned this when I first started using ChatGPT for test case generation, you still need to validate every output with your testing expertise. The magic happens when you combine AI efficiency with human insight. I always tell people: yes, AI can help you generate test scenarios faster, but you’re the one who knows which scenarios actually matter for your users and specific business context.

What's one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their career in testing?

Just start trying. When I transitioned from design to QA, I didn’t have a formal computer science background. I never went to university for it, but I’ve been curious about technology from day one. What helped me was learning the fundamentals first, then taking on real projects—even small ones—staying curious, and applying what I learned along the way. I also leaned on the testing community: reading, connecting, and learning from others who had already figured out pieces of the puzzle.

Just have an open mind, try, validate, and adjust your strategy. Today, I’d say embrace AI tools from day one, but remember they’re there to enhance your testing skills, not replace them. QA is a perfect entry point into tech because you get to collaborate with different teams across companies and, most importantly, make an impact by improving software that real people use every day. Your critical thinking and communication skills are what make you valuable.

How do you keep up with all the new trends and tools in software testing?

I stay curious and hands-on. I make time to experiment with new tools and approaches in real projects, even if it’s just in small proof-of-concepts. I also rely heavily on the testing community, following conversations on LinkedIn, attending webinars and meetups, and reading blogs to see how others are solving problems.

Teaching and sharing what I learn on my blog and LinkedIn has also become one of the best ways to stay current, because explaining something forces me to go deeper. Between experimenting, learning from others, and sharing back with the community, I’m always keeping my skills fresh.

What are the things you wish you knew about testing when you started your career?

That testing is one of the most creative roles in tech. Coming from a design background, I thought I was leaving creativity behind, but testing requires the same problem-solving mindset. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to start with the fundamentals first, then apply them on real projects as quickly as possible. You’re constantly thinking “what if” scenarios, figuring out how users might break things, and how we can make user experiences better. Plus, it’s the perfect bridge between business needs and technical implementation, which is exactly where I thrive.

Outside of the tech world, what's a hobby or activity you're really passionate about?

I’m passionate about visual communication and design, that’s actually how I ended up in testing. I still run my design studio, Agile Creations Ja, and I love using mind mapping and other visual communication methods to make complex testing concepts more accessible. When I need to recharge, you’ll find me at the beach here in Jamaica, journaling (digitally or by hand), and spending time with my son and husband. There’s just something about writing and being near the water that helps me process all the technical learning I’m always doing.

(Responses may have been edited for clarity.)