The Ethics of Quality

"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." — Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park This iconic line from Jurassic Park wasn’t just about dinosaurs...it was a warning about unchecked innovation. And in today’s tech landscape, it feels more relevant than ever. As quality professionals, we don’t just ensure software works; we have the power to shape how technology impacts real people. But in a world driven by speed, automation, and AI, are we asking the right questions? Are we testing more than just functionality? Are we testing for fairness, security, and ethical responsibility?

This session will challenge you to think beyond the pass/fail mindset and dive into the ethical dilemmas shaping our industry. Together, we’ll explore:

  • When “Can we build it?” overshadows “Should we build it?” - how ethical considerations get lost in the race to ship.
  • The hidden ethical risks of AI, automation, and rapid release cycles—are we unknowingly reinforcing bias or compromising user trust?
  • The pressure to cut corners—when business goals clash with ethical concerns, where do we draw the line and how do we effectively take a stand?
  • Building accountability—how can we foster a culture where ethical considerations are just as important as speed and efficiency?

By the end of this session, you’ll have a new lens through which to view your work—not just as a tester or quality leader, but as a gatekeeper of responsible technology. Because in the world of software quality, we’re not just testing products—we’re shaping the future.

The question is: Will we do it responsibly?

Jeff SingGwen Iarussi

Gwen Iarussi is a relentless advocate for quality and passionate technologist and engineering leader who's committed her career to improving and shaping the next generation of technology delivery practices.

With three decades of experience in the industry spanning support, quality & testing, enterprise engineering strategy, and SDLC governance across a diverse set of domains including financial services, early and higher education and global eCommerce, she currently serves as VP, SDLC Practice Governance Lead for Zions Bank and is the current President for the Association for Software Testing (AST), a nonprofit focused on building a global testing community and evolving testing methods and disciplines. She is also the Founder of Athena IQ Consulting, where she helps organizations focus and fine tune their approaches to technology transformation and solution implementation. Gwen holds a MS in Information Systems from the University of Utah.

Beyond the professional sphere, Gwen is a Colorado native living in Utah, a born "mountain woman" who would rather be outside exploring nature than just about anything, and an avid amateur photographer and sourdough baker. She is the single mom of two adult kids, two 90 lb rescue pups, and a mustached parakeet named Matisse, who may or may not contribute her own opinions on testing and quality depending on the day.