AI in GUI-Based Software Testing: Insights from a Survey with Industrial Practitioners

In today’s technology-driven world, there is a growing interest in leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline software testing processes. Our research delves into GUI-based testing, a prominent technique for verifying software functionality. Preliminary findings from our industrial survey of 45 respondents provide insights into the use of AI in GUI-based software testing. The survey aims to understand how AI supports GUI-based testing, the AI techniques and tools used, and the perceived advantages and limitations. The collected results suggest a diffuse yet superficial utilization of AI-based mechanisms among GUI-based testers. Practitioners often employ AI techniques in a technology-agnostic way, treating commercial tools as black boxes. These findings underscore the need for additional research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the AI techniques and tools employed in industry and their intended purposes.