The Contrarian Truth: Why Vibe Coding Might Replace Software Engineers as We Know Them

“Good software engineers will always be needed.”

That’s the common belief. But what if it’s no longer true?

With the rise of AI copilots, low-code tools, and what is called "vibe coding", the world of software development is changing fast. You don’t need to be a coding expert to build something useful anymore. In fact, some of the most innovative tools today are being built by people who aren’t traditional developers at all.

TL;DR

• Syntax is no longer the differentiator; communicating ideas clearly is
• The future belongs to those who understand intent and can collaborate with AI
• Stop focusing on code. Start focusing on clarity, communication, and purpose

The Best “Engineers” Might Not Be Engineers

Let’s flip the idea on its head.

The most effective builders in the future might not come from computer science backgrounds. Instead, they’ll be domain experts who understand their problems deeply and know how to guide AI tools to create solutions.

Why?

1. AI tools can now write, debug, and improve code faster than many junior developers
2. People with specific knowledge of their field can use these tools to build products without needing to know how to code
3. MVPs (minimum viable products) are now built using tools like Lovable, Bolt, Replit, Cursor, and Windsurf, with no coding bootcamp required

Think about what happened with publishing. Once, only trained typesetters could print. Then desktop publishing came along and changed everything. Coding is going through the same shift.

If this continues, being a “software engineer” might become as ordinary and invisible as being able to type.

The Rise of Hybrid Builders

We don’t have to choose between technical and non-technical. The most valuable people will be a bit of both.

The future belongs to people who can code just enough but are really good at understanding problems, communicating clearly, and working with AI tools to get things done.

Here’s why:

1. Explaining the problem well is now more important than writing every line of code
2. People who combine technical basics with strategy and product thinking are outperforming deep technical specialists
3. Being able to think across roles like product, design, and tech is more useful than being fluent in one coding language

A decade ago, “growth hackers” were the ones who mixed marketing and coding and came out ahead. This is the new version of that.

Soon, companies will be hiring more people who are great at explaining ideas to AI and others, and fewer who just know how to code.

Coding Was Always a Bridge, Not the Destination

Step back and look at the big picture.

Software engineering exists because humans and machines needed a translation layer. But that layer is shrinking. We’re learning to speak more directly to machines.

Here’s what’s changing:

1. Programming has always moved toward being easier to use, evolving from complex syntax to simple tools
2. AI models are turning plain language into working apps and logic
3. The new skill isn’t coding, it’s knowing what you want and expressing it clearly

We’ve seen this before. Writing was once done by scribes. Then it moved to typewriters, and now we just use our phones. Coding is next.

If this trend keeps going, knowing how to code will be expected, but rarely needed.

Redefining What It Means to Be “Technical”

Here’s the big idea:

The future of tech won’t be about writing code. It will be about understanding problems, expressing ideas, and working with AI tools to create outcomes.

Software engineers will still have a role, but the people who lead will be those who bring clarity, communicate well, and understand the bigger picture.

They’ll be vibe coders, storytellers, and problem-solvers, not just coders.

I'm currently building allgenai, a boutique AI consultancy helping businesses succeed with AI. We start with education, move into experimentation, and evolve into automation, supporting the full journey or whichever stage suits you best.

If this vision of the future resonates with you, reach out. Let’s build it together.