Armando Franco discusses the rise of vibe coding and why he believes it is redefining expectations in the software space.
Advancements in STEM – specifically within software development – are par for the course, in that for the industry wheel to keep turning professionals have an obligation to continuously explore ‘the next big thing’. But not all change is going to be positive or well-received and vibe coding has emerged as a bit of a marmite situation. You either love it or hate it.
So what is vibe coding? According to Armando Franco, the director of business and modernisation services at TekSystems, “vibe coding’ is a newer, informal term that’s gaining traction in the developer community”.
“It describes a more intuitive and conversational approach to software development, where engineers leverage advanced AI coding assistants to generate code based on instructions, desired outcomes or the overall ‘vibe’.
“Instead of meticulously writing every line of code, the developer focuses on articulating the ‘what’ and ‘why’, guiding the AI to produce the application. It’s an iterative process, often involving natural language prompts and refinements. It’s about setting the direction and letting the AI handle much of the granular implementation, with the developer then curating, testing and integrating that output.”
Why now?
He explained that the rising popularity of vibe coding can be traced back to a number of key factors, for example a growing need for speed and productivity, as it can dramatically accelerate development by AI-generating drafts, boilerplates and even complex snippets significantly faster than with manual coding.
Additionally, Franco said that a focus on higher-level problems in a world with increasingly advanced and complicated technologies created an ideal environment in which vibe coding could thrive. He said that it can even provide for an improved developer experience, as the process is “less about a grind”.
Moving away from how it benefits the individual, Franco said that for the wider organisation it can have a direct impact on profits and output as there is a faster time-to-market for products, teams work more efficiently and there is an increased ability to tackle more ambitious projects.
“However, it’s important to note that while popular and potentially beneficial, effective vibe coding still requires a strong understanding of software principles to guide the AI effectively and to debug and refine its output,” he added. “It’s not a replacement for fundamental knowledge but a powerful amplifier.”
Positive change?
With that in mind, the skillset required to work in software development and engineering, as a result of AI and vibe coding, is changing rapidly. While traditional skills such as foundational coding remain useful, particularly for understanding wider concepts and debugging, he stated that the emphasis is shifting.
Modern-day abilities in areas such as prompt engineering, AI interaction, output evaluation, system design, architecture, debugging and refinement are becoming invaluable. As is a robust understanding of ethical considerations, which would include potential biases in AI-generated code.
Because all technological change brings a degree of worry and scepticism, there is the ever-present fear by many in the software development space that AI can render your job surplus to requirements. For Franco, there is an argument to be made that vibe coding could pose a risk to developers who are “resistant to change”.
“Those who focus solely on routine, repetitive coding tasks that AI can increasingly automate, and who aren’t willing to adapt their skillsets, may find their roles shifting or diminishing in demand. The nature of entry-level positions, in particular, might change significantly.”
However, he noted that for those who are willing to adapt and embrace a culture of lifelong learning and upskilling, AI will present far more of an opportunity than it will a threat.
“The demand for individuals who can effectively leverage AI tools, oversee AI-generated code, focus on complex problem-solving, system architecture, and creative solutions will likely increase,” he said. “The role of the software developer isn’t disappearing, it’s transforming into something more akin to an ‘AI collaborator,’ a ‘system architect,’ or a ‘solution orchestrator’.
“The core skills of logical thinking, problem-solving, and understanding complex systems remain highly valuable. Those who can combine these with the ability to effectively manage and guide AI will be in a strong position. The key is a willingness to evolve, upskill and adopt new technologies and methodologies.”
In fact, advanced generative AI technology is giving rise to new jobs and career tracks for people skilled enough to be AI or machine learning engineers and specialists, prompt engineers, AI system integrators, AI ethics officers and auditors and developers focused on AI orchestration, among others.
Largely, Franco is of the opinion that we are rapidly moving towards a working world in which artificial intelligence will generate a significant portion, “potentially the majority” of foundational and boilerplate code.
“So, while the landscape is changing, it’s also expanding with new opportunities that require a blend of technical acumen and an understanding of AI’s capabilities and implications.”
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