This is pretty fascinating.
With AI-generated code exploding in popularity—GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, you name it—just a few keystrokes can spit out chunks of code. But let’s be honest, anyone who’s tried it knows: you still need to know what to ask for.

This is the Achilles’ heel of so-called “Vibe Coding.” The term sounds cool, but here’s the reality: no matter how advanced AI gets, it needs direction. Without a clear product vision in your head, even the slickest AI-generated code is useless.

1. Why “Vibe Coding” Falls Short

Imagine telling AI, “Build me a social app.” It can generate code, but the real question is—what kind of social app? Like WeChat or TikTok? What’s the user growth strategy? How will content moderation work? AI can’t make those decisions for you.

Here’s the twist: AI has lowered the barrier to writing code, but the bar for product design remains high. In fact, it’s even harsher now—because code is so accessible, those who can’t design products are exposed faster.

2. “Solutioning” Might Be the Next Big Thing

The article introduces a term called “Solutioning,” and it hits the nail on the head. It’s not just about coding; it’s about:

  • Analyzing needs
  • Designing solutions
  • Only then, executing development

This mirrors real-world development far better. For example:

  • Old way: The boss says, “Build a CRM,” and the team jumps straight into coding—only to deliver something unusable.
  • Solutioning: First ask, “Why a CRM? To boost sales efficiency or customer retention?” Then design features accordingly.

In short, AI is shifting from “how to write code” to “why write this code in the first place.”

3. How This Ties to Meta’s Layoffs

When Meta recently cut parts of its tech team, some called it a sign of AI replacing programmers. But I’d argue the opposite—AI isn’t replacing coders; it’s replacing those who can’t leverage AI for decision-making.

The future belongs not to programmers who can write for-loops, but to those who can:

  • Precisely define problems
  • Translate business needs into technical solutions
  • Vet whether an AI-generated solution actually works

4. A Wake-Up Call for Founders

If you’re starting a business and still think, “I just need a technical co-founder to write code,” you’re in trouble. Code is becoming commoditized; what’s valuable is:

  • Your industry insight
  • Your ability to spot pain points
  • Your logic in designing solutions

For instance, AI can whip up an e-commerce site overnight—but why would users buy from you? That’s something AI can’t fake.

Let’s Get Real

AI tools are like handing everyone a chainsaw—but you still need to know which tree to cut down. Otherwise, you might just saw off your own foot.

So stop obsessing over how fast AI generates code. Ask instead:

  • What problem are you solving?
  • Why are you the one to solve it?
  • How can AI help you solve it better?

That’s the real competitive edge for the next five years.