AI now writes code like a caffeinated intern. Fast, enthusiastic, and occasionally brilliant. But mostly? It’s a mess if no one checks the work.
Vibe coding is Silicon Valley’s latest flex. Describe what you want your app or tool to do, and AI generates the code for you. No syntax. No semicolons. No CS degree. Just vibes.
This isn’t the future, it’s happening now. Tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Replit’s Ghostwriter are building software from plain English. And while it feels like magic, here’s the truth: magic tricks are illusions, and unreviewed code is a liability.
What Is Vibe Coding?
You say:
“Build me a dashboard that tracks leads and emails me on Fridays.”
AI says:
“Sure, I’ll hallucinate something that kinda works.”
Vibe coding takes the idea of software and turns it into runnable code. Quickly. Cheaply. Sometimes even correctly. I’d say it’s currently working…mediocre.
What’s Good About It
- Speed: Prototypes that took two weeks now take two hours.
- Access: You don’t have to know code to build software. Just how to write a sentence.
- Volume: Developers can move faster, ship more, and skip the grunt work.
That’s the pitch. And for once, it’s not entirely wrong.
And What’s Broken
Let’s be clear: most AI-generated code is a 22-year-old in a startup hoodie—it talks fast, looks good, and crashes under pressure.
Security
AI doesn’t know your use case. It doesn’t know compliance. And it definitely doesn’t know your risk tolerance. Expect vulnerabilities.
Efficiency
This part’s personal. At Happy Medium, we’ve seen AI-generated code that bloats like a late-stage startup budget.
- Redundant logic
- Repetitive calls
- Libraries imported like it’s a clearance sale
Pro tip: if you don’t know what these bullet points mean, you are not skilled enough to be vibe coding
It works. But not well. Slow performance. Higher costs. Technical debt you didn’t ask for.
Misunderstood Prompts
When you say, “Make it smart,” AI hears, “Build me something confusing and overly confident.” If you’re not precise, your prompt will be interpreted like a bad first date: wrong assumptions, awkward execution.
Why It Matters
You’re already using software built with vibe coding. Maybe it’s the checkout page on a new e-commerce site. Maybe it’s the form you just gave your credit card to.
If that code hasn’t been reviewed by a human, tested for flaws, and secured for fraud… congratulations. You’re the beta tester.
What Consumers Should Do
- Stick with trusted platforms. Stripe. PayPal. Apple Pay. If they screw up, they notice.
- Don’t confuse pretty design with quality code. Anyone can make a Shopify site look nice.
- Use virtual cards when buying from unknown sites.
- Opt out of saving your info unless you shop there weekly. (And even then, ask yourself why.)
What Smart Businesses Should Do
If you’re using AI to write code, great. Welcome to the faster future. But don’t confuse fast with finished.
- Review the code. Every time.
- Optimize it. Don’t let AI build a Porsche that drives like a lawnmower.
- Audit your stack. Especially anything customer-facing or payment-related.
Your technical debt doesn’t get smaller just because a robot wrote it.
Final Thought
Vibe coding is here, and it’s not going away. It’s the microwave dinner of development: convenient, fast, and occasionally satisfying, but no one’s building Michelin-star apps this way without a chef in the kitchen.
At Happy Medium, we help businesses review, optimize, and secure AI-generated systems—especially those touching customer data or payments.
