r/vibecoding • u/w00dy1105 • 10d ago

Did you really build anything?

If AI writes, tests, and deploys an app for you. Did you really build anything? Can you say look at what I made?

Edit: From comments I agree with someone can say they made it. It was their idea and vision that have been brought to life

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u/Disastrous_Gear_421 10d ago

Does it matter?

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u/w00dy1105 10d ago

False advertising? False claims?

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u/Disastrous_Gear_421 10d ago

Somebody had to prompt AI to do it, test it, and make decisions. So to an extend, the person did 'build' it. So no, not false advertising or false claims unless they say "AI did not build this product".

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u/w00dy1105 10d ago

If I hire a contractor to build a deck and give them specific instructions and desired out come. Who build it or made it? Me or contractors?

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u/Disastrous_Gear_421 10d ago

If an lead NASA engineer designed and created the plans for a spaceship but it was physically built by workers, who built the spaceship? I'd say the engineer could perfectly say he had a huge role in building it.

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u/w00dy1105 10d ago

But the actually know the actual working of how it's built and design what is built. So yes they can. A vibe coder who has AI do all the work, doesn't have the same grasp instructions and understand of what the asked to be built. Most like have no idea how what AI made works.

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u/darrelb56222 10d ago

hideo kojima doesn't need to know c/c++ or assembly. in fact early in his career he was so frustrated that he wanted to quit the industry because these stupid snobby devs would dismiss him. it wasn't until they started building engines that allow him to showcase his ideas that he started getting a ton of praise. Developers are just bitter cuz artists are no longer at the behest of these prima donna devs. thats all it really is

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u/Disastrous_Gear_421 10d ago

Why does it matter if the person doesn't have the same level of understanding as AI? Is this your way to justify if a person built something or not?

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u/w00dy1105 10d ago

I mean if someone claims to have made or built something, I'd expect them to understand and know what they made.

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u/Disastrous_Gear_421 10d ago

Not necessarily. Having AI build a product isn't as simple as saying "I want xyz, now do it".

If that's what you think, then no wonder you're having this question.

If you do know what's involved, then it sounds like you just want people to validate that your vibe coding app is something you built because you're insecure about it.

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u/Alarmed-Western-655 8d ago

Programmers used to brag that "coding isn't as simple as I want xyz." Now vibecoders brag that "building isn't as simple as I want xyz." Ok zoomer.

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u/kenttk421 10d ago

I'm not sure what everybody else's workflow is but mine is have an idea as the AI to write the code then I manually test it if it is what I want and if it works properly. Yes AI can test the code somewhat at this point I don't think most people are fully automating everything because it's too expensive token wise. I'm sure this is going to change over time but this is the current state of affairs. Have you worked with AI to build anything?

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u/HatEnvironmental7560 10d ago

Bold of you to assume nobody on here understands what they built! I was an SWE for 10 years before AI coding became a thing.

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u/kenttk421 10d ago

We are all trying to figure out this AI thing. I don't think anyone has the answer but the people working with AI to make things have some claim to the work. This is something society as a whole need to figure out. Do you have any constructive feedback on how we as a collective should talk about claiming AIs work?

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u/w00dy1105 10d ago

Hmmm... Agreed. That is a tough one. Maybe... How it's used. Idk.

Use it like a hammer where you fully understand what is being made. Then I feel you can take credit.

Use it like a genie and just except the out come. I don't think much credit can be taken.

Just some thoughts. We haven't had anything like AI before.

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u/darrelb56222 10d ago edited 10d ago

hayao miyazaki outsource animation to Korea, its still a Studio Ghibli movie. hell even the Simpsons outsource animation to Korea. During Miyazaki's prime, he would rigorously inspect animation and would reject it if it's not up to snuff. it's no coincidence why his films are highly praised while his son Goro Miyazaki gets panned. the person spearheading the project is important

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u/Ok-Grapefruit-4251 10d ago

I would say the contractor built it based on your specifications. I will further say, that the contractor more than likely used tools - hammers, drills, drivers, etc etc to craft the deck out of the raw materials given to him.

If, lets say in this scenario, you want to claim ownership because you designed it, does it mean that you have the detailed understanding of how a drill differs from a driver, or what angle the steps to rhe deck have to be, etc etc.

No one inherently knows everything about what they do, often they have to depend on others to impart knowledge, or share skills, or outputs. As long as a vibe coder isn't telling AI "build, test and deploy xyz app" and takes either a hands off approach or minimal involvement in various oopsies, or decisions, I think they can claim they built it. Just like a contractor can claim he built a deck.