Have you heard the horror story that artificial intelligence (AI) is about to replace all programmers? The idea is simple: machines will write code themselves, just like robots assemble other robots. But programming is not a pipeline. Expertise, talent and even creativity are important here.
With the advent of GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, and Cursor, jobs haven't disappeared, but vibe has changed. AI in coding has become part of everyday development. It helps with autocompletion, documentation navigation, code generation, and architecture optimization.
Coding just got easier. Basic knowledge is already enough to assemble programs from ready-made blocks, fix bugs and quickly launch solutions. This new, easy, and productive approach is called “vibe coding”. Today we will tell you how it works, what areas it has, how it creates an ideal environment for development, and why artificial intelligence will not replace programmers yet.
What is vibe coding and why is AI here?
Vibe coding is a programmer's job in which mood, focus, and creative flow play a key role. Technical knowledge and experience are fading into the background, although they remain important.
To put it simply, vibe coding is the ability to explain a task to automated tools and monitor its implementation. The programmer here is no longer a worker on the assembly line, but an engineer who sets up equipment, monitors the process and assesses the quality of the finished product.
The advantage that artificial intelligence gives programmers is the ability to explain a problem in simple words, rather than with numbers and algorithms. For example, a specialist can enter a query (prompt): “Make an animated list that gradually appears on the screen when you scroll”, just as the customer would explain the task to the direct contractor. If the request is complete, logical, and clearly structured, AI will turn it into flawless code that needs minimum rules for integration.
The advent of GPT for programmers and other AI models has created a new niche for fullstack developers, design engineers, and freelancers. They spend much less time with it — they don't have to remember the syntax, look for examples, or go through documentation. They can create a competitive product themselves, without agencies and bloated project teams.
AI coding contains more creativity than techniques. The programmer sets the tone, and artificial intelligence picks up the idea and maximizes its potential. We will talk about how this works and how to enter this area in the following sections.
AI as an assistant
This is where most developers start. They add one of three popular tools to their stack and get a solid boost in productivity. Here are the benefits of artificial intelligence for programmers:
- GitHub Copilot — continues the code in real time. You start the line, he guesses your intentions and suggests an end. After a couple of hours, you find yourself pressing Tab more often than the other buttons.
- Cursor — integrates artificial intelligence into the editor. Did you write the code and see that it's far from perfect? Select this fragment — the program will offer an explanation, correction of obvious errors, or refactoring.
- ChatGPT is an independent consultant. He is usually asked questions about architecture, syntax, and complex bugs and bugs.
In this case, coding with AI is like working with a personal assistant. While you're working on the main processes, he performs all those unenviable tasks that are considered the dark side of a developer's work: reading documentation, recalling rare designs, analyzing someone else's code and analyzing technical specifications.
Vibe coding in this scenario has a huge advantage — a decrease in cognitive load. A developer doesn't need to be distracted by a constant search or keep everything in mind. AI saves dozens of micro-solutions per day. This helps us focus on larger tasks — architecture, logic, UX.
An example. The front-end developer adds a standard subscription form to the site. Instead of looking for the right React hook, she wrote in a comment: “//email subscription with validation and sending”. Copilot immediately offers the correct code. Save time — 15 minutes. And taking into account the fact that the developer was not distracted by routine and kept a steady pace, the whole time was 30-40 minutes.
AI as a collaborator
For most developers, this simple use of AI in coding is only the first step towards transforming workflows. The more a specialist immerses himself in vibe coding, the less he works manually and the more he takes on the role of an expert consultant.
Gradually, the developer adopts the following algorithm of work:
- Review of the technical specifications. It is important to understand the essence, direction and general idea here. And even more important is to be able to explain them in simple words the way you would explain them to your friend who is far from IT.
- Formulating the task. At the first stage of coding with AI, you need to transfer the idea to artificial intelligence. You should show what the result should look like, what tools are available, and what general direction you can take. The result will be a clear description of the product architecture.
- Execution. Copilot and GPT for programmers give better results with a block or modular approach. First, large snippets of code are written that cover the main functions. Then they fit together and are attached to the architecture framework.
- Editing. Vibe coding isn't perfect, and we'll talk more about that later. Most code snippets contain bugs that come to the surface during integration. They can be corrected manually or with the help of artificial intelligence by correctly explaining the problem to him.
- Clarification. At the MVP stage, most products need changes due to logic problems or changes in technical specifications by the customer. AI adds them much faster — unlike humans, they can read tens of thousands of lines in seconds.
An example. A full-stack developer is working on a SaaS service. He gives GPT a task to programmers: “We need a Python function that takes CSV, validates and returns JSON with errors.” The whole process takes 5 to 30 seconds. After quickly looking through the lines, the developer clarifies: “Add date checking and logging to the file.” And the third iteration: “Add report output to the interface”. A couple of minutes for everything.
According to one Y Combinator member, 95% of the first versions of its products were fully generated by artificial intelligence. He saved more than 70% of his time, almost doubling his productivity. Of course, this scenario is close to ideal, but it is still quite realistic. Especially considering the special atmosphere that turns boring work into creative vibe coding.
Influence on the development atmosphere
AI coding is a continuous stream where one task clings to another. Work merges into a chain of processes that you don't want to give up halfway. Thanks to this, you get used to a new project faster, delve deeper into logic and are not distracted by minor problems. This is especially true in full-stack programming or freelancing, where getting tips from colleagues is almost impossible.
Music can also support the sense of flow. Calm, rhythmic, with minimal or no vocals. Ambient, trance, psychedelic, bossa nova, modern jazz — according to your preferences. By the way, another advantage that artificial intelligence gives programmers is that it generates music for coding. There are quite a few examples on YouTube. The tracks are similar to each other, but still have enough differences not to get boring for several hours.
An example. The backend developer said that he used to spend half an hour setting up new endpoints. Music+GPT for programmers helped him put the process on stream and reduce the time spent to 5 minutes. AI generates a scheme, tests, even mocks. And cool music helps you keep the rhythm and keep up with artificial intelligence.
And one more important point. Vibe coding is when you succeed and you are much less likely to make mistakes. You are praised more often, your projects go into production faster. Motivation and pleasure from work are increasing. Career advancement is accelerating. This means AI coding is definitely worth it.
However, you should not completely forget about the skills of a programmer. Here's why.
Risks and restrictions
AI has been used in coding for quite some time, and we can already identify the main problems that are often encountered in practice:
- Machine hallucinations. Sometimes artificial intelligence produces seemingly plausible, but not working or far from optimal code. You need qualifications to analyze it and make the right decision.
- Loss of skills. By fully switching to vibe coding, you can forget your skills. And then your status as an expert consultant will be in question. Therefore, top specialists still write up to 20-30% of the code manually, just to maintain their qualifications.
- Addiction. There are already scenarios where Copilot controls programmers rather than vice versa. As a result, the very vision of the project is distorted, and the product meets the requirements of artificial intelligence, not the customer and future users.
Therefore, GPT for programmers should be viewed as a tool rather than a “magic button”. If you want to maintain your expert status, continue to improve your knowledge. Everything is the same as before, but much faster, more interesting and more productive.
findings
Vibe coding is 2.0 programming. Instead of menial routine work, there are now consultations and quality control. Instead of boring processes, creativity. Instead of solo development, there is a dialogue with a virtual professional.
But it's important to understand that the future belongs to those who know how to work in tandem with AI. Don't blindly follow the prompts, but direct, edit, and set a style. This is what makes vibe coding a powerful tool. It combines atmosphere and technology. And it works.
FAQ
Will AI replace programmers?
No Artificial intelligence further emphasizes the role of live expertise. A modern programmer becomes a manager who sees the task in context and makes decisions.
Can you fully trust GPT when coding?
Not either. He makes mistakes and sometimes misunderstands tasks. Its code must be checked, tested and corrected. Only a person can be responsible for production.
How does AI help with vibe coding?
It saves energy, takes care of the routine, and helps you get into the flow. You're thinking more about the meaning of the code than its form. This is vibe.