Maintaining automation scripts
Software Engineer · QA Engineer
“Maintaining automation scripts” (Software Engineer) is being replaced by AI: it entered in 2024 and is projected to be largely replaced by 2028.
AI enters
2024
Largely replaced
2028
Replacement progress
50%
Technology / key factor
Self-healing test scripts
What this task is
Whenever a user interface or API changes, automated test scripts tend to break, so testers spend much of their time fixing element locators, updating test data and adjusting flows.
How AI replaces it
Since 2024, self-healing test tools detect when page elements move and repair scripts automatically, and AI can update test steps from code changes. Script maintenance should be largely automated by around 2028.
What stays human
People own the overall design and stability of the test framework, and check that the automatic repairs made by AI aren't quietly hiding real product defects that users would hit.