Vibe coding lets anyone write software—but comes with risks

The process of writing computer programs, known as coding, has traditionally been done by human beings, but with the advent of generative artificial intelligence, this is changing. Generative AI tools can now write computer code based on natural language prompts, a concept termed "vibe coding" by Andrej Karpathy, an OpenAI co-founder. Vibe coding allows users to create code without needing to master programming languages or complex data structures, making it accessible to complete beginners. This is made possible by AI systems that use standard patterns of technical language to piece together original code from their training data. AI assistants such as GitHub Copilot or Cursor Chat can be used to generate code based on simple prompts, but the resulting code may not be production-grade and can be vulnerable to security risks. The lack of a structured process in vibe coding means that stress-testing practices are often skipped, leaving systems open to malicious attacks and data leaks. Skilled engineers typically write and review code, run tests, and establish safety barriers before going live, but with vibe coding, this process is not followed. Despite the potential risks, vibe coding could have deeper applications with seasoned programmers, helping them to quickly turn ideas into viable prototypes. The practice may also signal a shift towards using natural language as a more viable tool for developing computer programs, making it easier for novice programmers to get started. Ultimately, while vibe coding is not likely to replace experienced software engineers, it may cause the boundary between AI and human programmers to blur further as AI models improve and become more adept at incorporating context and accounting for risk.