Google CEO Sundar Pichai recently stated that "vibe coding," a new approach to software development using artificial intelligence, has made the process "so much more enjoyable" and accessible for many. Pichai highlighted how this AI-assisted method is opening up coding to people without traditional technical backgrounds. He shared his views during a recent Google for Developers podcast interview with Logan Kilpatrick, who runs Google's AI Studio.
AI Makes Coding Approachable
Vibe coding involves describing project goals in simple, everyday language to an AI-powered platform. The AI then translates these descriptions into functional software code. This means individuals can build apps and websites without needing deep technical knowledge or extensive programming skills. Pichai said this shift makes coding more approachable and exciting again. He believes it empowers workers to visualize their ideas directly, rather than just explaining them to an engineer. OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy coined the term "vibe coding" earlier this year, and Collins Dictionary even named it their Word of the Year for 2025.
Pichai compared this change to how blogging and YouTube democratized content creation. These platforms allowed millions of people with ideas to become creators, even if they lacked traditional skills. Vibe coding is doing something similar for app and website development. He noted that the technology is "only going to get better."
Broad Impact Across Workplaces
The impact of vibe coding is already visible across various industries. Non-technical workers, such as HR professionals, accountants, and product managers, are now using AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Replit to create functional applications and prototypes. Instead of drafting detailed specifications for an engineering team, these users can now arrive at meetings with working demonstrations of their ideas.
Inside Google, Pichai reported a sharp increase in employees submitting their first "changelists," which are code modifications for specific features or bugs. This shows how AI is helping non-engineers contribute to actual code. Google itself is leaning into the concept, calling its latest Gemini 3 model the "best vibe coding model ever" with a focus on improving the look and feel of AI-generated apps. Pichai also revealed that he personally uses AI coding assistants like Cursor and Replit to "vibe code" a custom webpage that gathers his preferred information sources. As of April 2025, over 30% of new code at Google is now generated with AI assistance, a notable increase from 25% just six months prior.
Balancing Innovation with Caution
Despite his enthusiasm, Pichai also acknowledged the potential risks associated with AI-generated code. He stressed that vibe coding is not suitable for large, security-critical codebases where precision and protection are essential. He emphasized that experts must still be involved to ensure code accuracy and security.
Concerns remain among some developers regarding the quality of AI-generated code, potential security vulnerabilities, and the possibility of increased debugging time. Studies have shown that some developers do not thoroughly review AI-generated code before deploying it, which could expose systems to risks. However, Pichai believes that current AI coding capabilities represent only the beginning. He stated that this is the "worst it will ever be," indicating immense optimism for future improvements and innovations. Google Brain founder Andrew Ng also champions AI-assisted coding, suggesting everyone, including CEOs and marketers, should learn to code this new way as the entry barrier has dramatically lowered.
Vibe coding, supported by AI tools, is reshaping who can participate in software development. It promises a more inclusive and enjoyable future for creating digital applications.
