Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are frequently imagined to be the gateways to a futuristic world in which robots interact with us like people and computers can become smarter than humans in every way. But of course, machine learning is already being employed in millions of applications around the worldand its already starting to shape how we live and work, often in ways that go unseen. And while these technologies have been likened to destructive bots or blamed for artificial panic-induction, they are helping in vast ways from software to biotech.

Some of the sexier applications of machine learning are in emerging technologies like self-driving cars; thanks to ML, automated driving software can not only self-improve through millions of simulations, it can also adapt on the fly if faced with new circumstances while driving. But ML is possibly even more important in fields like software testing, which are universally employed and used for millions of other technologies.

So how exactly does machine learning affect the world of software development and testing, and what does the future of these interactions look like?

A Briefer on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

First, lets explain the difference between ML and AI, since these technologies are related, but often confused with each other. Machine learning refers to a system of algorithms that are designed to help a computer improve automatically through the course of experience. In other words, through machine learning, a function (like facial recognition, or driving, or speech-to-text) can get better and better through ongoing testing and refinement; to the outside observer, the system looks like its learning.

AI is considered an intelligence demonstrated by a machine, and it often uses ML as its foundation. Its possible to have a ML system without demonstrating AI, but its hard to have AI without ML.

The Importance of Software Testing

Now, lets take a look at software testinga crucial element of the software development process, and arguably, the most important. Software testing is designed to make sure the product is functioning as intended, and in most cases, its a process that plays out many times over the course of development, before the product is actually finished.

Through software testing, you can proactively identify bugs and other flaws before they become a real problem, and correct them. You can also evaluate a products capacity, using tests to evaluate its speed and performance under a variety of different situations. Ultimately, this results in a better, more reliable productand lower maintenance costs over the products lifetime.

Attempting to deliver a software product without complete testing would be akin to building a large structure devoid of a true foundation. In fact, it is estimated that the cost of post software delivery can 4-5x the overall cost of the project itself when proper testing has not been fully implemented. When it comes to software development, failing to test is failing to plan.

How Machine Learning Is Reshaping Software Testing

Here, we can combine the two. How is machine learning reshaping the world of software development and testing for the better?

The simple answer is that ML is already being used by software testers to automate and improve the testing process. Its typically used in combination with the agile methodology, which puts an emphasis on continuous delivery and incremental, iterative developmentrather than building an entire product all at once. Its one of the reasons, I have argued that the future of agile and scrum methodologies involve a great deal of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Machine learning can improve software testing in many ways:

While cognitive computing holds the promise of further automating a mundane, but hugely important process, difficulties remain. We are nowhere near the level of process automation acuity required for full-blown automation. Even in todays best software testing environments, machine learning aids in batch processing bundled code-sets, allowing for testing and resolving issues with large data without the need to decouple, except in instances when errors occur. And, even when errors do occur, the structured ML will alert the user who can mark the issue for future machine or human amendments and continue its automated testing processes.

Already, ML-based software testing is improving consistency, reducing errors, saving time, and all the while, lowering costs. As it becomes more advanced, its going to reshape the field of software testing in new and even more innovative ways. But, the critical piece there is going to. While we are not yet there, we expect the next decade will continue to improve how software developers iterate toward a finished process in record time. Its only one reason the future of software development will not be nearly as custom as it once was.

Nate Nead is the CEO of SEO.co/; a full-service SEO company and DEV.co/; a custom web and software development business. For over a decade Nate had provided strategic guidance on technology and marketing solutions for some of the most well-known online brands. He and his team advise Fortune 500 and SMB clients on software, development and online marketing. Nate and his team are based in Seattle, Washington and West Palm Beach, Florida.

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How Machine Learning Will Impact the Future of Software Development and Testing - ReadWrite