Automated visual regression testing is a process where tests are run to compare the current user interface with reference screenshots to ensure it matches the desired layout. This is crucial in today's mobile world, where devices and operating systems have different rendering capabilities, making uniformity challenging. The process involves taking screenshots of the UI at various stages of development and comparing them to the baseline images to detect any deviations or "regression" in appearance. While automation tools like Selenium and PhantomJS can help with visual testing, human intervention is still necessary to decide what variations are acceptable. These tools use a screenshot comparison engine that takes screenshots and compares them in intervals, allowing developers to configure tolerance levels for differences and ensuring the UI stays on track.