Vibe Coding is the Future

I’ve been struggling to articulate my thoughts of what I’m observing in my Software Engineering experience and what I’m seeing in the AI engineering space. I’ve been thinking deeply about how we’re starting to see an inflection point in the role and it has been hard to express it in a way that is accessible to a general audience, let alone myself.

A bit like a diffusion model, it suddenly resolved itself in my mind when I was watching this video: Vibe Coding is the Future

Software engineers (SWEs) and AI engineers find themselves at a unique crossroads. They are building software that is increasingly operated by AI at the execution level, but also have concerns about the impact on their own careers and the future of their roles.

The integration of AI into coding practices has already started reshaping traditional roles, placing unprecedented importance on two critical attributes: agency and taste. But why have these become essential, and how are they reshaping the future of software engineering?

Embracing Agency: Control and Decision-Making in the AI Age

Agency refers to the ability of engineers to exercise control, understand AI limitations, and make informed decisions, rather than simply following prescribed paths. As AI increasingly automates coding tasks, the role of the engineer shifts from pure execution to strategic oversight and creative problem-solving. Abhi Aiyer succinctly captures this transformation by stating, “I don’t write code much, I just think and review.”

This shift is profound. AI handles routine tasks at astonishing speeds— Jackson Stokes describes how his coding speed increased “10x six months ago and 100x within the last month alone.” With AI generating code faster than ever, engineers must retain the agency to steer these powerful tools toward meaningful goals. Without agency, AI could drift toward suboptimal or even unethical outcomes, emphasizing the need for engineers to remain engaged decision-makers.

Taste: Curating Quality in an Age of Infinite Execution

Taste, meanwhile, is about good judgment—knowing not only what can be built, but critically, what should be built. It’s about discerning quality, usability, and alignment with ethical standards and user expectations. As Andrej Karpathy highlighted in his concept of “vibe coding,” we are moving toward a coding style that fully relies on intuition and judgment, enabled by advanced AI tools like Cursor Composer. Karpathy humorously mentions his minimal engagement with code details, trusting the AI to handle specifics. While amusing, this practice highlights taste’s role—engineers must intuitively know what outcome to pursue even if they’re detached from the mechanics of implementation.

Yoav Tamir illustrates taste vividly by mentioning, “I write everything with Cursor, sometimes having two windows open and prompting them simultaneously.” The skill here isn’t about coding directly but about expertly guiding AI tools through thoughtful prompts and discerning quality outputs, a concept echoed by David Arnoux, who emphasizes that when everyone has similar AI tools, the real advantage lies in the ability to prompt better, curate superior results, and decide what should be built.

Transforming Roles: From Coders to Product Engineers

Leo Paz predicts a significant evolution: “The role of software engineers will transition to Product Engineers.” Engineers are no longer mere implementers but visionaries who must see the bigger picture clearly and quickly. Abhi Balijepalli supports this, noting his reduced attachment to code—“I can code three times faster now, making it easier to scrap and rewrite when needed.” This decreased attachment to specific code enhances objectivity and adaptability, critical attributes in rapidly evolving development cycles.

This evolution towards product engineering places a premium on engineers who can think broadly, understand user experience deeply, and navigate complex ethical landscapes effortlessly. The future engineer is one who can seamlessly integrate agency and taste, ensuring AI-driven projects are impactful and aligned with human values.

Ethical Communication and AI Transparency

Another surprising but crucial aspect is taste in communication—avoiding misleading narratives around AI capabilities and transparently highlighting human involvement. As AI systems become more sophisticated, engineers must clearly communicate their limitations and strengths to maintain public trust and accountability. AI has Agency

Agency and Taste

The proliferation of AI tools is democratizing coding power, but the real competitive edge belongs to those with the taste to discern quality and the agency to control powerful technology responsibly. As software engineering transitions from code-centric to product-centric roles, engineers who master these qualities will lead the way, shaping AI tools not merely to build faster, but to build better.

In essence, the fusion of agency and taste is not just advantageous; it is now essential. As we embrace this AI-driven era, developing these skills is what will truly set apart exceptional engineers.

Many of the above quotes are from the video Vibe Coding is the Future