StarEAST 2025 just wrapped up, and it left us with plenty to think about. As one of the longest-running conferences in the software testing world, StarEAST continues to bring together testers, QA leaders, engineers, and innovators from around the globe.
This year’s agenda tackled some of the most pressing challenges in our field: how AI is transforming testing roles, what performance testing really looks like in modern systems, and how to build stronger QA teams from the inside out.
One thing was clear: Testing is evolving quickly, and the conversations at conferences like StarEAST helped frame what comes next.
In this recap, we’ll share a few standout sessions, key ideas that stuck with us, and a look at the community energy that made this event worth attending.
Top Sessions & Speakers
Oops AI Did It Again: How to Get AI and Agents to Stop Being Weird and Actually Be Useful in Your Business – Dona Sarkar
In one of the conference’s most anticipated keynotes, Dona Sarkar explored a challenge many teams are facing: how to get AI and agents to stop being unpredictable and start being genuinely useful. Dona addressed the common quirks and pitfalls that make AI feel unreliable, then introduced a practical framework to set expectations, guide behavior, and align AI with real business goals. The message was clear: AI isn’t magic, but with the right approach, it can become a powerful, controlled force in your QA strategy.
How to Hire the Best Quality Engineers – George Andraws
George Andraws offered a practical take on one of the most important parts of QA leadership: hiring. He stressed the importance of removing bias by reviewing candidate feedback before interviews, holding 60-minute sessions to allow deeper conversations, and asking thoughtful questions around strengths, improvement areas, and long-term commitment. The session stood out as a reminder that great teams start with intentional, human-centered hiring.
Performance Assurance and SRE – Leandro Melendez
Leandro Melendez (Señor Performo) led a sharp discussion on the rising complexity of performance engineering. Today’s systems need to be fast, scalable, and resilient from day one and require continuous performance ownership across teams. As roles between SREs and performance testers continue to overlap, this session emphasized that performance is no longer a phase. It’s an integrated discipline that spans every release.
More Than Just Sessions
Alongside the sessions, one of the most important parts of a conference is the spare time you have to connect with others, share experiences, and learn from each other. At StarEAST 2025 the atmosphere was great, and it was felt in hallway conversations, post-session talks, and visiting different booths. It is clear that the QA community is more engaged than ever.
PractiTest was proud to be part of the experience. At booth #5, we connected with teams from across the industry, many of whom are facing the same testing challenges we hear about every day. Whether it was a quick demo, a conversation about improving test visibility, or a deeper look into our AI-powered capabilities, we were glad to offer ideas and solutions that could make a real difference.
For us, events like StarEAST provide a great opportunity to listen, learn, and stay in sync with what matters most to QA professionals right now — so we can find ways to support them better.
Wrapping Up: What Comes After StarEAST
StarEAST 2025 brought together excellent ideas and conversations happening in QA today. From future-focused keynotes to practical strategies around hiring and performance, the sessions reflected a field that is growing, adapting, and becoming more essential than ever.
The informal conversations between sessions also made the event special. The real questions, shared challenges, and openness to learn made it clear that this is a community moving forward with purpose.
If you attended the event, we hope it sparked new ideas. If you couldn’t make it, we hope this recap gave you a window into what mattered most.If you’re exploring ways to take control of your testing, enhance visibility, and improve coverage, schedule a demo to understand how PractiTest can help your team to manage complexity and deliver with confidence.