A Look Back on BugBash 2026

The BugBash 2026 conference, attended by Mikaël Francoeur and hosted by Antithesis, highlighted the increasing mainstream focus on software correctness, as illustrated by trends in formal methods and deterministic testing. Will Wilson's keynote connected this shift to Amdahl's Law, suggesting that improvements in coding efficiency allow more focus on testing. Turso, Francoeur's company, is already investing in advanced testing methods like deterministic simulation and formal verification techniques. The conference sparked discussions on the importance of balancing correctness with practical engineering trade-offs, emphasizing that not all software demands absolute precision. Semiformal methods and spec-driven development were recognized as valuable for encouraging thoughtful design and planning. Notable insights included the inevitability of LLM hallucinations, the potential of new verification languages, and the importance of fostering human connections at such events. The conference underscored the idea that, while the cost of verification remains high, it is gradually decreasing, paving the way for more widespread adoption in the industry.