When you think of coding, what comes to mind? Lines of carefully structured code? Logical frameworks and strict syntax? Traditionally, coding has been seen as a discipline rooted in precision and rules.
It’s a fundamental skill for developers, yet it can feel time-consuming and rigid, sometimes limiting creativity and flow. That’s where vibe coding comes in—a more intuitive, fluid approach that blends structure with creativity.
According to a 2023 Gartner report, AI-assisted coding is expected to account for over 70% of code in commercial applications by 2025, indicating a significant shift in software creation, freeing developers to focus on more creative problem-solving.
This makes coding faster, more enjoyable, and opens the door for greater experimentation, collaboration, and innovation.
What is vibe coding?
At its core, vibe coding is about getting into a creative flow. It’s coding driven by intuition and feeling, not just logic. Vibe coders focus on the bigger picture, trusting their instincts and collaborating openly to build solutions that feel right, not just work right.
Vibe coding is becoming a movement where AI acts as an active collaborator, helping developers shift from rigid rule-following to more expressive, purposeful coding.
Instead of manually writing each line of code, developers can express what they need in natural language, and AI tools transform that description into functional code. This method bridges the gap between human creativity and machine accuracy, allowing developers to focus on innovation while AI manages the technical side of things.
How vibe coding and AI work together
AI tools like Anaconda Assistant, Jupyter AI, GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer, and Replit Ghostwriter are changing the coding landscape. Instead of manually writing and troubleshooting code, these assistants help developers stay in a creative flow, focusing on problem-solving and big-picture thinking rather than repetitive syntax or boilerplate.
A GitHub study found that developers using AI coding assistants were 55% faster, with code quality remaining comparable to traditional methods.
By surfacing user behaviour insights, generating personalised experiences, and analysing feedback at scale, AI helps vibe coders create software that resonates emotionally and functionally.
This shift means the key question moves from “Does this code run?” to “Does this solution resonate?”
As Rim Almaliki, Director of FDM’s Skills Lab, North America, puts it:
“Vibe coding is about trying new things… sometimes the best solutions come from feel, not formulas.”
The human element
Vibe coding isn’t just about technical skills. It emphasises emotional intelligence and human-centred design, where the feel of the code and the emotional impact of the product matter as much as functionality.
Rim says, “I see developers becoming more like creative collaborators. It’s not just about writing clean code, it’s about understanding people, adapting quickly, and working closely with others to build things that feel right and work well.”
Soft skills such as empathy, storytelling, and visual communication are becoming just as crucial as technical proficiency. Vibe coders embrace tools that support creativity but also understand the emotional ways people interact with technology.
For Gangotri Bhatt, Head of FDM’s Skills Lab, UK & EMEA, vibe coding represents a progressive shift towards coding that’s more intuitive.
“Vibe coding is an exciting and progressive shift. It’s a fusion of creativity, collaboration, and technology, where developers aren’t just solving problems, they’re crafting experiences. It makes coding more accessible, expressive, and aligned with how people actually use technology.”
Balancing creativity with critical thinking
AI and vibe coding offer exciting possibilities but also come with some challenges.
Developers must maintain strong engineering foundations to critically evaluate the quality of the AI-generated output.
“Without knowledge of best practices in software architecture, data privacy, security, and performance, they may not be able to prompt the AI tool with sufficient details to produce a suitable outcome”, says Henry Duddy, FDM’s Senior Delivery Consultant.
Henry believes experienced engineers remain essential, especially for reviewing AI-generated code and guiding complex projects. For simple applications or proofs-of-concept, vibe coding shines, but for more complex builds, solid critical thinking remains key.
According to Gangotri, staying curious, experimenting with creative coding projects, and engaging with communities that blend art, and tech can also help professionals grow in this space.
Practical applications across practices
Vibe coding and AI integration can benefit various roles:
- Business Analysis & Project Management: Quickly analyse stakeholder needs, map user journeys, and adapt to changing priorities with an emphasis on user-centric solutions.
- Software Development: Build prototypes faster, solve problems creatively, and build intuitive, human-centred software.
- Data & Analytics: Transform data into meaningful stories and visualisations that connect with people.
- Cloud, DevOps, & Cybersecurity: Automate security threat predictions and cloud scaling while ensuring systems remain intuitive and flexible.
Why FDM values multi-skilled consultants
At FDM, we believe that the most effective consultants are adaptable, curious, and multi-skilled. As vibe coding gains momentum, it’s this versatility that sets developers apart.
Our consultants come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, which helps them think creatively, collaborate more effectively, and navigate complex problems from different angles. We champion those who are ready to learn, evolve, and bring a human-centred mindset to their work.
By nurturing talent that blends technical skills with creativity and communication, we help future-proof organisations in a rapidly changing tech landscape.
Summary
Vibe coding is more than a trend—it’s a fundamental shift that blends logic, creativity, and intuition. It challenges us to bring human-centred thinking into everything we build and uses AI to enhance, not replace, the developer’s role.
That said, a solid foundation in best-practice engineering and critical thinking remains essential. AI supports the build, but human judgment is what makes it work.
If you’re ready to grow your skills in an environment that champions AI, collaboration, and creativity, explore our exciting careers at FDM.