Performance Testing with AI with Akash Thakur
with Akash Thakur
February 17, 2026 
Hosted by Joe Colantonio 
Key takeaways
What you'll learn in this episode
How AI is accelerating performance scripting and analysis
Why shift-left performance testing is finally becoming realistic
The role of structured data in predictive QA models
How to test AI applications (LLMs, GPUs, inference throughput) differently than traditional web apps
What the future role of performance engineers looks like — architect, not script writer
About this episode
Is traditional performance testing becoming obsolete?
In this episode, performance engineering expert Akash Thakur shares why AI is fundamentally transforming load testing, scripting, observability, and shift-left strategies.
With 17 years of real-world enterprise experience, Akash explains how AI-augmented tools are already reducing scripting time by 30%, improving analysis speed, and helping teams move from reactive performance testing to predictive intelligence.
If you’re a performance tester, SRE, QA leader, or DevOps engineer wondering how AI will impact your role — this episode gives you practical, actionable insights you can apply immediately.
Keep listening
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