Why AI-Run Throwaway Tests May Beat Traditional Self-Healing Automation

A software testing perspective argues that self-healing test scripts create more problems than they solve, as automated locator fixes can silently assert unintended outcomes, producing costly false positives. The proposed alternative involves writing test cases in plain language and letting an AI agent execute them directly in a browser each time, eliminating the need for maintained scripts. Tools like the Playwright MCP server allow an AI agent to navigate a live page, follow test steps, capture screenshots, and generate a pass/fail report without any pre-written automation code. Because the agent works from the current state of the page, UI changes do not break anything — the agent simply adapts, much like a human tester would. The approach is positioned not as a full replacement for scripted tests, but as a practical method for short-lived or infrequent checks, with stable, high-value scenarios still promoted to deterministic scripts over time.