World Quality Report 2025-26

Presenting the 17th edition of our World Quality Report (WQR)

Between the worlds we know and those still emerging, lies a horizon of possibility. Generative AI (Gen AI) and agentic technologies have brought us to this threshold—no longer distant concepts but forces actively reshaping how solutions are built, tested, and trusted.

Last year we explored the promise of Gen AI, automation, and human-in-the-loop systems; tools that became partners in testing and pushed the boundaries of Quality Engineering (QE). Since then, those possibilities have accelerated into reality, transforming how software is designed, developed, and delivered. Among all enterprise functions, QE stands out for its transformative potential.

Adapting to Emerging Worlds

This year’s theme, Adapting to Emerging Worlds, reflects the urgency of this shift. In a world where change is constant, adaptability has become the ultimate measure of resilience and leadership. For QE, this means rethinking roles, reimagining processes, and reshaping how quality itself is defined. The organizations that adapt fastest are the ones leading the next generation of smart, autonomous, and reliable engineering.

The 17th edition of the World Quality Report is your guide through this evolving terrain, equipping you with insights and tools to stay agile, anticipating the unexpected, and turning ambiguity into advantage. It goes beyond the headlines to answer some of the questions QE experts are asking:

• What’s working, and what’s not?
• How far has Gen AI really penetrated QE?
• How do we scale responsibly and effectively?
• What new skills and mindsets will define the future of QE?