The rise of artificial intelligence has permeated numerous sectors, and software development is no exception. "Vibe coding," a term coined by AI expert Andrej Karpathy in February 2025, has rapidly gained traction as a novel approach to software creation. But is the hype surrounding this AI-assisted coding method justified?
Vibe coding is essentially using AI tools to generate code based on natural language prompts. Instead of writing every line of code manually, developers describe the desired functionality to an AI agent, which then produces the code. The developer then evaluates the results and asks the LLM for improvements. This allows developers to focus on the creative and strategic aspects of app development, rather than getting bogged down in technical details. Vibe coding aligns with agile frameworks, and can foster innovation, instinctive problem-solving, and flexible coding capabilities.
The potential benefits of vibe coding are considerable. It can democratize app creation, making it accessible to individuals without extensive programming knowledge. This could lead to a surge in innovation and a faster pace of software development. Data from Sensor Tower and Wells Fargo Securities indicates a significant increase in new iOS apps, which some analysts attribute to the rise of AI coding tools. Specifically, new iOS apps jumped 60% year-over-year in December 2025. Startup Replit also launched an Apple-specific feature that helps users create an app in minutes. Furthermore, businesses report a shortage of developer talent, making vibe coding a critical business need.
However, alongside the excitement, concerns about the potential downsides of vibe coding have also surfaced. One major worry is the potential for security vulnerabilities and other issues in AI-generated code. Experts warn that deploying unreviewed AI-generated code into production could lead to catastrophic failures. "Developers are writing more code and deploying it faster without fully understanding what it's doing,” said David Mytton, founder and CEO of developer security provider Arcjet.
Another concern revolves around accountability and maintainability. If an AI generates code with errors or security flaws, determining responsibility and fixing the issues can be challenging. Moreover, code generated without human oversight might lack the structure and documentation needed for long-term maintenance.
Despite the concerns, it's important to recognize that vibe coding is still in its early stages. As AI technology advances, these challenges may be mitigated through improved code review processes, better AI training data, and the development of more robust security measures. Human input and oversight remains important.
Ultimately, whether the hype around vibe coding is justified depends on how responsibly and thoughtfully it is implemented. If used as a tool to augment human developers and accelerate innovation, it holds tremendous potential. However, if embraced without proper safeguards and critical evaluation, it could lead to unforeseen risks and challenges. The key lies in finding the right balance between leveraging the power of AI and maintaining human control and oversight in the software development process.
