In Her Own Words: For Naga Harini Kodey, Quality Qssurance Changes Lives
Technology is designed to improve humanity but it’s easy to get lost—or intimidated—by the language, complexity and brainpower displayed by engineers. Naga Harini Kodey’s career is based on quality assurance but her mission is to bridge “human needs and technological possibilities.”
Every line of code tells a story. Every test safeguards a promise. In my 15 years as a Quality Assurance engineer, I’ve learned that “quality” isn’t just about perfecting software — it’s about protecting human potential.
My journey from the bustling classrooms of Andhra University in India to pioneering machine learning innovations at ViralGains has taught me that technology’s greatest power lies not in its complexity but in its ability to lift people up.
I still remember my early days at Deloitte, sitting across from healthcare clients, watching their eyes light up as the systems we tested made their work easier and their impact greater. Those moments revealed a truth that would become my north star: quality assurance isn’t a checkpoint — it’s a bridge between human needs and technological possibilities. While others saw QA as the last line of defense, I saw it as the first step in building trust.
This vision hasn’t always been easy to pursue. Managing global teams at Cigniti taught me that excellence requires more than technical precision: it demands understanding across cultures, languages, and perspectives. At NCR, when I developed accessibility testing solutions, each challenge we overcame meant another barrier broken down, another life made easier. These weren’t just projects; they were promises to people who depend on technology to live, work, and thrive.
Today at ViralGains, as I lead the integration of machine learning into our QA processes, I’m driven by an even bigger mission. Testing AI isn’t just about validating algorithms — it’s about ensuring that in our race toward innovation, we leave no one behind. When we test voice recognition technology, we’re not just checking accuracy scores; we’re making sure every voice can be heard, every story can be told, and every person can participate in our digital future.
But perhaps the work closest to my heart happens beyond the code. Through Women in AI USA, I’ve seen firsthand how technology can become a ladder for those who’ve been told the ceiling is too high. As a mentor on ADPList.org, every conversation with aspiring QA professionals reminds me why I chose this path. When I judge innovations for the Edison Awards, I look for what I’ve always sought in my own work—technology that doesn’t just function but transforms.
Looking ahead, I see quality assurance taking on an even more crucial role. As AI and machine learning reshape our world, we need more than just technical excellence — we need ethical vigilance, inclusive thinking, and unwavering dedication to human needs.
This is why I’ve built my career around not just finding bugs but building bridges. Not just testing software but transforming lives. For me, quality assurance will always be more than a profession — it’s a calling to ensure that every technological advance serves its highest purpose: empowering human potential.
Because in the end, true quality isn’t measured in test cases or metrics. It’s measured in lives improved, barriers broken, and dreams made possible. This is my story, mission and unwavering commitment to a future where technology empowers us all.
This article originally appeared on The Business Journals.
