Vibe Coding: An Interview in Reverse

A new wave of tools is letting ideas flow faster, powered by artificial intelligence and human intuition. This movement is known as “vibe coding,” and it’s reshaping how people learn, prototype, and imagine technology.

To explore this shift, I decided to flip the traditional interview format. Instead of prompting an AI to answer my questions, I asked an AI assistant to interview me – effectively reversing our typical roles. The AI became the interviewer, prompting me to articulate my thoughts on vibe coding, challenge common misconceptions, and explain why this approach matters for the future of development. What follows is that conversation, lightly edited for clarity.

What is Vibe Coding, Really?

AI Assistant: Andrea, let’s start simple. What does vibe coding mean to you?

Andrea: It’s about transforming an idea into a prototype through natural interaction – without being blocked by syntax or fear of mistakes. You describe what you want, and the system helps you make it real.

AI Assistant: So, coding that feels like a conversation?

Andrea: Exactly. The code follows your vibe. You express your idea, and the machine responds – guiding you, explaining, and letting you learn by doing.

The Myths Around Vibe Coding

AI Assistant: Let’s address some common misconceptions. Many people think vibe coding means you don’t need to learn programming anymore.

Andrea: That’s perhaps the most persistent myth. In reality, you learn faster – because you see working examples immediately and understand the logic behind them. It’s not a shortcut; it’s a learning accelerator.

Let me give you a concrete example. Last week I needed to create a simple script to help me remember launch commands and prepare things for our new Arduino UNO Q. I had GitHub gists already set up, but I wanted something more accessible – a script running directly on my board.

I’d completely forgotten how to program a shell script on Linux, so I asked:

“I would like to create a shell script running on Debian with a nice interface. I want to run some binaries and launch external scripts. Create the skeleton for the menu, and two examples: one for running a binary and one for executing a script.”

After four iterations, where I added some code and suggestions, I had a working shell script in less than 30 minutes. But more importantly, I remembered how to create shell scripts – 30 years after I’d last written one. (If you’re interested, here’s the Gist.)

AI Assistant: What about concerns that AI-generated code isn’t safe?

Andrea: The answer is nuanced. The fundamental principle remains unchanged: code always needs human review. The AI can propose solutions, but it’s up to the developer to validate, refine, and take responsibility. Collaboration doesn’t remove control – at the end of the day, you’re responsible for the code you ship. What if, for some reason, the AI includes an external dependency pointing to malicious code? Human oversight is non-negotiable.

AI Assistant: Some claim that vibe coding is only for beginners.

Andrea: Not at all. Beginners use it to start; professionals use it to accelerate. It helps experts focus on strategy and architecture rather than repetitive implementation details.

AI Assistant: Others worry that simplification kills the intellectual satisfaction of coding.

Andrea: I strongly disagree. It removes frustration, not satisfaction. I’m constantly working to simplify access to technology – whether I’m teaching my kids or presenting to large audiences. With vibe coding, you spend more time imagining, testing, and creating – which is the most rewarding part of development.

For complex projects, vibe coding helps experienced developers handle tedious boilerplate code, creating scaffolding that’s ready to be customized. Looking at how this works in Arduino’s Cloud, the AI assistant works alongside the developer with full context – knowing which board is connected, what libraries are available – so it can provide the most relevant assistance.

From Myths to Opportunities

AI Assistant: Let’s shift from misconceptions to possibilities. What does vibe coding unlock?

Andrea: There are five major opportunities:

First, it democratizes technology – anyone can build without being intimidated by syntax.

Second, it accelerates industrial prototyping, helping teams iterate and innovate faster.

Third, it boosts inclusion in education, because students can experiment immediately without needing permission to innovate.

Fourth, it unlocks creativity in traditionally non-coding domains like music, art, and physical computing.

And finally, it establishes a new model of human-AI collaboration, where machines augment capability and humans maintain agency and decision-making.

AI Assistant: Critics argue that people might become overly dependent on AI. Is that a valid concern?

Andrea: Absolutely – that’s the real challenge. The goal isn’t to hand over control but to amplify capability. Vibe coding works best when developers remain curious and analytical. AI assists, but understanding remains essential. The real danger isn’t AI writing code; it’s humans forgetting to ask why it works.

From Blink to Beats

AI Assistant: Can you give me a practical example of vibe coding in action?

Andrea: Consider a musician who wants to integrate physical computing into their performance. They describe their vision: “I want a motion sensor to control my synthesizer via MIDI.” Within minutes, you can generate the code and wiring diagram. Suddenly, the artist’s idea becomes a live instrument. That’s the essence of vibe coding – technology amplifying creativity without requiring years of programming study.

AI Assistant: Why is Arduino investing in this approach?

Andrea: Because it continues our core mission. From open-source hardware to cloud-based tools, Arduino has always focused on lowering barriers to entry in technology. Vibe coding is the natural next step – combining human intuition with AI assistance to make innovation more accessible and inclusive.

AI Assistant: Can you distill it into one sentence?

Andrea: Vibe coding is the bridge between creativity and technology. With Arduino, anyone can turn an idea into reality – and now, that journey is faster and more intuitive than ever. It’s time for our community to start vibing: check out the AI Assistant available in the Arduino Cloud Editor.

AI Assistant: Well said. I think I’ll quote you on that.

Andrea: Thanks. Though I suppose in this case, I was the one being prompted.