Welcome to episode 30 of Inside The Outer Loop. In this episode, Rich Jordan and James Walker are joined by special guest Sergio Freire, Director of Solution Architecture, Test Management at Xray and TestRail. Together, they discuss the future of testing, software delivery and the impact of artificial intelligence. The conversation delves into Sergio's journey into the testing field, the evolution of testing practices, and the cultural challenges organisations face in adopting effective testing strategies. Sergio also shares his insights on balancing automation with exploratory testing and the growing role of AI in enhancing testing processes. James and Sergio emphasise the need for a collaborative culture in software development and the significance of quality engineering as a team effort. The episode highlights that while automation is essential, exploratory testing, intuition, and human experience remain invaluable in assessing risks and driving continuous improvement in testing practices. Listen to the full episode to learn more! Inside the outer loop – brought to you by the Curiosity Software team! Together with industry leaders and experts, we uncover actionable strategies to navigate the outer loop of software delivery, streamline test data management, and elevate software quality. Tune in to transform the way you think about software delivery, quality, and productivity!