# Adam Mackay *AI Researcher · Author · Safety-Critical Systems Specialist* Where AI capability meets the industries where software failures have consequences beyond a bad quarterly report. [Read the Newsletter](newsletter.html) [Get in Touch](contact.html) ## What I Do For nearly three decades I've worked at the collision point between transformative technologies and their civilisation-level implications — AI, autonomous systems, and safety-critical software in aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and defence. Currently I'm **[Head of AI and Principal Strategic Advisor at QA-Systems](https://linkedin.com/in/adammackay)**, exploring how language models change the economics and safety calculus of testing safety-critical software. I also write, speak, and occasionally work with organisations on strategic questions they can't answer internally. --- ## Recent Work **Speaker** — [Embedded World Conference](https://www.embedded-world.de), Nuremberg, March 2026: *Embedded Software Testing with fundamental skills and AI* **Speaker** — [Embedded Testing 2026](https://pretalx.com/ebedded-testing-26/speaker/UNTDQQ/), February 2026: *From Manual to AI-Assisted: Practical Automation of Unit Test Generation in Safety-Critical Systems* **Workshop co-chair** — [HiPEAC 2026 FORECAST for TechNexus](https://www.hipeac.net/events/sessions/8257/forecast-technexus-functional-engineering-domains-supporting-cross-disciplinary/#/), Krakow, January 2026 **Expert panellist** — [One Young World](https://www.oneyoungworld.com) Global Forum, Bath 2025 (AI ethics and global policy) **Contributing author** — [HiPEAC Vision 2025](https://www.hipeac.net/vision/2025/) (European AI research priorities) **Contributing author** — HiPEAC Vision 2026 *(forthcoming)* **Published** — *[Embedded Software Testing: Developing Reliable Software from Fundamentals to AI-based Techniques](book.html)* (BPB Publications, 2026) — lessons from 28 years in aerospace, automotive, nuclear, and medical domains **Newsletter** — *[The AI Monitor](https://theaimonitor.substack.com)* reaches 2,500+ technical professionals and policymakers weekly --- ## On the Horizon **Webinar** — [Unit Testing at the Speed of Modern Development](https://joraltechnologies.com/blogs/webinars/webinar-unit-testing-at-the-speed-of-modern-development-without-breaking-certification), 8 April 2026 (Joral Technologies / QA Systems) **Speaking** — [Avionics & Testing Innovations](https://avionicsandtesting-innovations.com/speaker/adam-mackay/), London, June 2026: *Shadow Testing: The Secret AI Adoption Already Happening in Your Supply Chain* **Speaking** — [Embedded World Conference](https://www.embedded-world.de), Nuremberg, March 2027: *Embedded Software Testing — With Fundamental Skills and Artificial Intelligence* (half-day class with Stephan Grünfelder) **Writing** — *AI for Dinosaurs* (in development): narrative nonfiction on what happens when AI meets the industries where failure isn't a bug report — it's a body count --- ## Explore - [Writing & Books](writing.html) — books, essays, and articles - [Speaking & Media](speaking.html) — keynotes and conference appearances - [The AI Monitor](newsletter.html) — weekly strategic analysis - [About](about.html) — background and experience - [Contact](contact.html) — get in touch