Silicon Valley is buzzing with a new term: “vibe coding.”

"It's not really coding — I just see stuff, say stuff, run stuff, and copy-paste stuff, and it mostly works."

That’s how Andrej Karpathy, computer scientist and OpenAI co-founder, described vibe coding in a viral post on X (formerly Twitter).

With AI transforming writing, design, and now coding, why not let AI handle the entire process? Just as we generate images with simple text prompts, vibe coding lets developers build software by instructing AI in plain English.

This shift challenges the traditional idea of coding. Instead of meticulously crafting every line of code, developers rely on AI tools to do the heavy lifting. But is vibe coding the future of programming—or just another passing trend? 

Let’s dive into its impact on industries, engineers, and the future of software development.

What is vibe coding?

Simply put, vibe coding is coding with AI. The term, coined by Andrej Karpathy, means "fully giving in to the vibes." It’s about using AI-powered coding assistants like Cursor, Composer, and Sonnet to handle the heavy lifting, allowing developers to build software faster and more efficiently.

Karpathy’s viral tweet perfectly captures the essence:

There's a new kind of coding I call "vibe coding", where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists. It's possible because the LLMs (e.g. Cursor Composer w Sonnet) are getting too good. Also I just talk to Composer with SuperWhisper…

— Andrej Karpathy (@karpathy) February 2, 2025

You tell the AI what you want, and it generates the code. If something breaks, you just feed the error message back into the AI until it works. Sounds almost too good to be true, right?

But like anything, there’s a catch. Let’s dive deeper into Vibe Coding and explore what it really means.

Why is vibe coding trending?

Karpathy’s tweet sparked the conversation, but the hype around vibe coding goes way beyond a single social media post. So, why is everyone talking about it?

Here’s the deal:

AI is getting seriously powerful

Advancements in Large Language Models (LLMs) now allow AI to generate usable code from simple prompts. Tools like Replit Agent and Cursor Composer are pushing the boundaries of AI-assisted coding.

Coding is more accessible than ever

Vibe coding lowers the barrier to entry—you don’t have to be a seasoned programmer to start building. As Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, noted, "75% of Replit customers never write a single line of code."

Speed is everything

In a world where everyone wants things done yesterday, vibe coding enables faster prototyping and rapid iterations.

The big players are all in

When figures like Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg start talking about the future of AI in software engineering, people pay attention.

AI-powered tools are already revolutionizing developer productivity—dive in to learn more.

How vibe coding works: A simple breakdown

Vibe coding might sound complex, but it's actually pretty simple. Think of AI as your coding assistant, ready to turn your ideas into reality.

Here's how it works:

1. Describe what you want
   Forget complex syntax—just tell the AI what you need. Instead of writing code for a button, simply say, "I want a red button that says 'Click Me.'"
2. AI generates the code
   AI-powered tools take your description and write the necessary code—handling the heavy lifting for you.
3. Check & refine
   Test the code, then tweak it by giving simple instructions like, "Make the button bigger" or "Change the font." The AI fine-tunes it to match your vision.
4. Repeat until perfect
   Keep refining until your code does exactly what you need—no deep coding knowledge required.

In short, vibe coding lets AI translate your ideas into working software—effortlessly.

The hottest new programming language is English

— Andrej Karpathy (@karpathy) January 24, 2023

Vibe coding vs. traditional coding

How does vibe coding compare to traditional coding? Let’s break it down:

Who’s using vibe coding? More people than you think

Vibe coding isn’t just for one type of developer—it’s attracting a diverse group of people who are experimenting, innovating, and even building real products with AI. Let’s break down who’s vibing with code:

The total beginner

New to coding? No problem. Vibe coding is a game-changer for those with zero programming experience. It helps turn ideas into reality—fast. As Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, points out: “75% of Replit customers never write a single line of code.”

The AI-assisted pro

Even seasoned developers are leveraging vibe coding to automate repetitive tasks, quickly prototype, and focus on the bigger picture—design and architecture. They’re still in control, but AI handles the heavy lifting.

The startup founder

For startups, speed is everything. Vibe coding accelerates product development, helping founders test and launch ideas faster than ever. As Misbah Syed, founder of Menlo Park Lab, puts it: “If you have an idea, you're only a few prompts away from a product.” Menlo Park Lab is already using vibe coding to build generative AI consumer applications like Brainy Docs.

The tech giants

It’s not just startups—big companies are diving in too. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg has hinted that AI could soon handle tasks traditionally done by mid-level engineers. Meanwhile, GitHub Copilot is already helping developers work smarter and faster.

The AI app builder

A software engineer who claims to be the first vibe coder uploaded a video showing how he built an app in just 20 minutes using vibe coding. Check out his video here.

Examples of companies using vibe code:

Replit: Using AI to allow users to build an app with a simple prompt

GitHub: Using Copilot, an AI pair programmer that provides code suggestions and autocompletions

Amazon: Using CodeWhisperer, an AI coding assistant, used internally and offered to AWS customers.

Is vibe coding good or bad? Let’s look at the real story

Vibe coding is the hot new thing—but is it actually a game-changer, or just hype? Let’s break it down.

Imagine this: AI can now generate code from just a few instructions. Got an idea? You’re only a few prompts away from a working product. AI tools are making software development faster and more accessible than ever.

But here’s the catch—this isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. As AI researcher Harry Law from the University of Cambridge puts it, “Ease of use is a double-edged sword."

The good side of vibe coding

Super fast and easy

Need a prototype? AI can generate code in seconds, helping you test ideas and iterate way faster than traditional coding.

Anyone can code

With AI-powered tools, even non-coders can build software. It’s making programming more accessible than ever.

Your code buddy is an AI

No more long nights struggling with syntax—AI acts as a coding assistant, helping you write, debug, and refine code effortlessly.

The problems with vibe coding

Messy code

A senior Microsoft software engineer told Business Insider that vibe coding is “a little overhyped” because AI often generates messy, hard-to-manage code.

Security risks

AI-generated code can introduce vulnerabilities. If you don’t carefully review it, hackers could exploit weaknesses in your app.

You don’t learn anything

Relying too much on AI means you may never truly understand how your code works—leading to over-dependence on AI assistants.

How vibe coding will affect engineers and industries

Vibe coding has the potential to transform software development and reshape various industries. Here’s what to expect:

1. Shift in roles

Software engineers may transition from hands-on coding to roles like "prompt engineers" or "AI wranglers," focusing more on guiding and overseeing AI-generated code rather than writing every line themselves.

2. Increased demand for AI skills

Companies will prioritize professionals with AI and machine learning expertise to develop, refine, and maintain the AI-powered tools that drive vibe coding.

3. Accelerated innovation

Faster prototyping and iteration will fuel rapid innovation across industries, enabling the development of new products and services at unprecedented speeds.

4. Impact on education

Educational institutions may need to revamp their curricula to incorporate AI-assisted coding techniques, ensuring that future engineers understand both traditional coding and AI-driven development.

Criticisms of vibe coding

Despite its potential benefits, Vibe Coding has faced criticism from some industry experts:

• Overhyped: Many people praise vibe coding, but others say it's just a short-lived trend and not the future. Even Karpathy admitted that AI sometimes "can't fix a bug."
• Lack of control: Andrew Chen, an A16z venture capitalist, expressed frustration with the lack of control and precision when using AI code generation tools.
• Synthetic user research: Some worry about the rise of "vibe-researching," or synthetic user research, where AI-generated personas replace real users, potentially leading to biased and inaccurate insights.

random thoughts/predictions on where vibe coding might go:

- most code will be written (generated?) by the time rich. Thus, most code will be written by kids/students rather than software engineers. This is the same trend as video, photos, and other social media

- we are in the…

— andrew chen (@andrewchen) March 9, 2025

Top tools for vibe coding

Vibe coding thrives on AI-powered tools that streamline the development process. Here are some of the most popular ones in the tech community:

• Replit Agent – A cloud-based IDE with AI-driven code completion and generation.

• Cursor – An AI coding assistant that helps users write, explore, and modify code, often paired with Anthropic’s Sonnet model.

• GitHub Copilot - A widely used AI pair programmer offering smart code suggestions and autocompletion.

• Figma AI - AI-powered tools for automating UI/UX design within Figma.

• Uizard & Webflow - No-code and low-code platforms that leverage AI for design assistance and rapid prototyping.

Future of vibe coding: Will AI replace software developers?

AI is transforming software development, but will it completely replace developers? Not likely—at least not anytime soon. Here’s why:

• AI has limitations – AI-generated code isn't always perfect. It can be inefficient, contain errors, or even misunderstand requirements. Human oversight is still essential.
• Creativity matters – Building software isn’t just about writing code; it requires creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking—skills AI struggles to replicate.
• Domain expertise is key – Many projects require deep industry knowledge that AI simply doesn’t have.
• Ethical concerns – AI-generated code can introduce security risks, bias, and privacy issues, which developers must carefully manage.

Rather than replacing developers, AI is enhancing their abilities—speeding up workflows, automating repetitive tasks, and allowing engineers to focus on high-level problem-solving.

I designed, built & submitted a new app (that is actually good) in < 4 hours. AI is Wild pic.twitter.com/2Wl6codJ1y

— Matt (@MattCowlin) March 6, 2025

Conclusion: Embrace the vibe, but stay grounded

Vibe coding is revolutionizing software development, making it faster and more accessible than ever. But while AI unlocks exciting new possibilities, it’s not a replacement for solid fundamentals.

To truly make the most of vibe coding, developers need to balance AI assistance with strong coding principles, thoughtful design, and a focus on real user needs. AI can handle the heavy lifting, but human expertise ensures that what’s built is reliable, scalable, and impactful.

The future of coding isn’t just AI-driven—it’s a collaboration between human creativity and machine efficiency. So, embrace the vibe, but stay in control.