There’s been a lot of hype around vibe coding lately. Everywhere you look, people are building apps with AI, shipping products faster than ever, and sharing impressive demos online. And honestly, I think that’s exciting. But there’s one concern I keep coming back to.
Recently, I had a conversation with someone who had built a really impressive application using AI. From the outside, it looked great. Naturally, I started asking a few basic technical questions, not to test him, but simply to understand how the app worked. I asked about some fundamental concepts and algorithms behind what he had built. The surprising part? He couldn’t answer.
That made me stop and think: what’s the value of building something you don’t actually understand?
AI SHOULD BE AN ACCELERATOR, NOT A SUBSTITUTE
Vibe coding has made software development more accessible than ever. You can describe an idea, let AI generate code, and have a working prototype in a short amount of time. That’s an incredible advancement. But generating code isn’t the same as understanding it.
If you’re relying entirely on AI without learning the underlying concepts, you’re putting yourself in a difficult position. What happens when something breaks? What happens when you need to improve performance, fix a bug, or add a complex feature? If you don’t understand the foundation, you’re limited by whatever the AI gives you.
KNOWLEDGE IS WHAT GIVES YOU CONFIDENCE
Imagine presenting your product to investors, clients, or stakeholders. They’re going to ask questions:
- Why did you choose this architecture?
- How does the application scale?
- How is user data handled?
- Why did you implement this feature this way?
If you can’t explain the decisions behind your own product, it becomes much harder to build trust. Your ability to communicate your work is just as important as your ability to build it.
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LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS
I’m not against vibe coding. In fact, I think it’s one of the most powerful tools developers have today. But I believe AI works best when it’s paired with knowledge.
Learn the basics. Understand programming concepts. Know how your application is structured. Understand why the code works, not just that it works. The stronger your foundation, the more effectively you’ll be able to use AI as a tool rather than depending on it completely.
FINAL THOUGHTS
AI is changing software development, and that’s not going to stop. The developers who thrive won’t necessarily be the ones who generate the most code, they’ll be the ones who understand what they’re building.
Use AI to move faster. Use vibe coding to experiment and create. But never stop learning the craft behind the code. Because at the end of the day, it’s not enough to build an application, you should be able to understand it, improve it, defend it, and confidently explain it to anyone who asks.
Hi, I’m Dr. Mobolanle Bello, a Computer Science Lecturer with over 15 years of experience in software engineering, web development, data science, database management, ebusiness, research, and education. My expertise includes creating bespoke digital solutions such as e-learning platforms and e-commerce sites, alongside conducting research in AI, machine learning, and network optimisation. I have published my work in respected journals and conferences, contributing to advancements in technology. Outside of academia, I am passionate about using technology to improve lives and am committed to inspiring the next generation of tech professionals through teaching and collaboration.
