Vibe coding has turned senior devs into 'AI babysitters'
3 hours ago
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- Carla Rover, a web developer with 15 years of experience, spent 30 minutes crying after restarting a project due to AI-generated code errors.
- Rover and her son are building a startup that creates custom machine learning models for marketplaces, using AI for speed but facing challenges with unreliable code.
- AI-generated code often requires significant time for fixes, with senior developers bearing the brunt of verification and corrections.
- A Fastly report found that 95% of developers spend extra time fixing AI-generated code, leading to buggy products if unchecked.
- The rise of 'vibe code cleanup specialists' highlights the growing need for professionals to address AI-generated code issues.
- Experienced coders compare AI coding to delegating tasks to a child or teenager—unpredictable and requiring constant supervision.
- AI-generated code lacks systems thinking, often creating redundant or inconsistent solutions across different parts of a project.
- Security concerns arise as AI tends to prioritize speed over correctness, introducing vulnerabilities similar to those made by novice programmers.
- Despite its flaws, AI coding aids in prototyping, UI design, and reducing menial tasks, making it a valuable tool when paired with human review.
- Young engineers like Elvis Kimara see AI as an accelerator but emphasize the importance of reviewing every line of AI-generated code to learn and ensure quality.