Abbas Ahmad is an ISTQB® accredited trainer, researcher, and technology leader with a PhD in Computer Science, specializing in software testing, AI testing, cybersecurity, and IoT systems. He is the President of the United Arab Emirates Software Testing Qualifications Board (UAESTQB) and the CEO of CERTILOG FZCO (UAE), delivering international training and consulting across Europe and the Middle East.
With over a decade of experience spanning academia, industry, and standardization bodies, Abbas has led and contributed to major European R&D projects (H2020, FP7) in areas such as model-based testing, IoT security certification, interoperability testing, and AI robustness. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences and has actively contributed to ETSI and oneM2M testing and security working groups.
Abbas is a frequent keynote speaker and trainer for ISTQB® certifications (CTFL, TAE, MBT, TA, TTA, AcT) and is deeply involved in advancing next-generation testing practices, including AI-assisted testing, DevOps, and test automation frameworks. He is the current product owner of the ISTQB® CT-GenAI syllabus
Generative AI is becoming a powerful companion for learners preparing for certifications such as the ISTQB Foundation Level. It can explain concepts, generate examples, and simulate exam-style questions, making studying more interactive and engaging. Used correctly, it is an excellent tool for practice, revision, and reinforcing understanding.
However, relying on generic AI models to learn a structured syllabus comes with risks. When asked about topics such as test types or techniques, AI may provide answers that sound correct but deviate from the official syllabus, introducing inaccuracies or “hallucinations.” In a certification context, this can lead to misunderstandings and poor exam performance.
In this session, Abbas Ahmad shares a practical perspective on how to effectively use Generative AI as a learning assistant while avoiding its pitfalls. The talk highlights the importance of aligning with official sources and combining AI with trusted materials to achieve reliable and efficient learning outcomes.
