In 1991, I was gifted a book that would alter the course of my life– Experiments Without Explosions by O.M. Olggin. It was not just another science book. It was a guide to thoughtful, methodical experimentation, and more importantly a gift from my teacher Krishnan to my sister and me as he prepared to leave for the U.S. He may not have known it then, but that book shaped how I would approach… not only software testing but also in life and training several thousands all over the world. The lessons from this very book taught me that you do not need explosions or chaos to create breakthroughs– just careful yet deliberate steps will do. Today, as I enter the era driven by Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), I realize how deeply those early lessons resonate with the evolving role of testers and quality engineers here onwards…
As technology shifts towards AGI, experimentation has become the heartbeat of our work really. The rigid, traditional methods of testing are transforming into something far more organic stuff; an endless series of thoughtful experiments that help us explore, adapt, and ensure that the future we build is innovative, safe, and useful.
Let me share some unstoppable reflections that continue to shape my thinking
🎁 A Teacher’s Gift of Insight
The book from Krishnan Sir was never just a gift, at least to me. It was an invitation to view the world differently. It taught me that the best insights come from experimenting in small and thoughtful ways. Whether it is life or software testing, breakthroughs do not need fireworks like the upfront Diwali; they need curiosity, patience, and precision. The simple act of observation, of carefully tweaking and refining, has shaped how I approach every challenge[నాకు పిచ్చుంది.. కాని దానికి ఓ లెక్కుంది!].
🔬 Exploration Without Chaos
The beauty of experimentation, as I learned from Experiments Without Explosions, is that you need not break things to learn. As software testers, our job used to be about identifying bugs, breaking systems, and reporting errors. But now, AGI is shifting that paradigm. Testing is becoming an endless cycle of exploration– where every system and every function is an experiment in the unknown labs. We are no longer just testers; we are explorers, navigating uncharted territory.
🤖 AGI – The New Frontier of Experimentation
AGI is not just reshaping our roles, it is opening a whole new frontier of possibilities. With AGI, systems do not follow predetermined scripts; they adapt, evolve, and think in ways we never imagined. In autonomous vehicles, for example, we are no longer testing if the car obeys traffic laws; we are exploring how it reacts to the real-world unpredictability– rain-soaked streets like the recent havoc in our Telugu states, the sudden detours, or a child running across the road. These are not pass/fail scenarios. They are living, breathing experiments that push the boundaries of safety and functionality my dear testers!
🧪 Experimentation is the New Testing
Gone are the days of rigid and procedural Test Cases. Today, we create experiments, not Test Cases. Testing is no longer static or confined to rules– it is about understanding complex systems as they evolve. Every piece of software, every feature is an experiment that requires real-time observation. With AGI, we will not wait for failure; we will anticipate it. And in doing so, we create systems that are more resilient, adaptive, and, most importantly, human-centered.
🛡️ Guardrails for AGI – Our Responsibility as Testers
As we move towards AGI-powered systems, the responsibility on our shoulders as testers is greater than ever before. Think about medical robots, which are designed to make life-saving decisions in real-time. My father was recently operated with one. How do you ensure these decisions are safe? Testing these systems is not just about looking for bugs but about ensuring they operate within well-defined boundaries. Nope, not that rudimentary BS ISTQB BVA. These systems will be trusted with lives– and our experiments (Test Cases) are the foundation of that trust. We are not just building machines; but building the guardrails that keep them from veering into chaos due to some rains, quakes, etc.
❤️ The Emotional Core of Experimentation
At the heart of all this is emotion– the trust that society places in our systems, the empathy that guides us as we test them, and the passion that drives us to push the limits of what can be achieved. AGI is not just about technology; it is about creating systems that understand and adapt to human needs. Whether it is smart cities or predictive healthcare, we are shaping the future with every experiment we design. That is Testing. That is QE. And with that comes the responsibility to ensure that the systems we create are not just functional, but also ethical and safe.
As I see “the Next”…
* The journey that started with a knowledgeable yet simple gift from my teacher, I realize that the principles of controlled and thoughtful experimentation are more relevant today than ever before– without explosions!
* The transition from traditional testing to experimentation, driven by AGI, is not just a technological shift– it is a erotically a philosophical one.
– We are no longer testers following Test Cases. We are architects of the future, experimenting with systems that will define the Quality @ world tomorrow. And just as Experiments Without Explosions taught me in 5th Class, the very meaningful progress comes from thoughtful experimentation. AGI is teaching us that testing is no longer about finding flaws– it is about unlocking the true potential, ours and the machines! What do you think?
2 Responses
Very well written
Thank you