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11.9Metrics: AI-Generated vs Hand-Written Tests
Based on industry benchmarks (2025-2026):
| Metric | AI-Generated (after curation) | Hand-Written |
|---|---|---|
| Time to produce 50 tests | 30-45 minutes | 4-6 hours |
| Initial defect detection rate | ~65% | ~75% |
| Post-curation defect detection rate | ~73% | ~75% |
| Maintenance burden (per quarter) | Slightly higher (AI patterns can be verbose) | Lower (human patterns are tighter) |
| Coverage breadth (unique scenarios) | Higher (AI explores more permutations) | Lower (humans have blind spots) |
The takeaway: AI-generated tests after curation approach the quality of hand-written tests at 5-8x the speed. The coverage breadth advantage is real -- AI does not get bored and systematically tries more input combinations.