An informal, emerging term that describes a way of creating digital tools, software, content, or workflows using artificial intelligence (AI) by focusing on what an individual wants to achieve rather than how it is technically built. Instead of writing detailed code or step-by-step instructions, users describe their goals, outcomes, or intent in natural language and rely on AI tools to generate and refine the underlying technical components through iteration and feedback.

The term originated in software development communities but increasingly reflects a broader shift across learning and work. AI tools now allow people without advanced technical training to build things that once required specialized expertise. As a result, capabilities previously considered advanced technical skills are becoming accessible to a much wider group of users.

In the learn-and-work ecosystem, vibe coding is best understood as a signal of changing skill expectations and work practices rather than a formal methodology or best practice. It highlights opportunities created by AI-enabled tools but also the ongoing need for human responsibility. Although AI can write code that works through vibe coding, it cannot guarantee the code is correct, safe, or appropriate. Human oversight remains essential, and the type of human oversight may change—from technical execution to judgment, validation, and responsibility.