At thirteen, many people are taking their first steps with video games, social media, or, for the most enthusiastic, perhaps a simple programming language. But for that teenager who wants to get ahead of the future, what would be the most appropriate path? Young entrepreneur and billionaire Alexandr Wang proposes a different route: dedicating many hours, in a deep way, to intuitive programming, known as vibe coding. Wang maintains that vibe coding is not just a technique, but a mindset that can offer enormous advantages in professional and technological life.
In fact, Wang, only 28 years old, states that accumulating approximately 10,000 hours of practice with AI-powered vibe coding tools can make a difference compared to those who do not familiarize themselves with this way of creating software. For him, vibe coding allows one to explore, experiment, and develop skills that will become increasingly valuable in a rapidly changing digital world.
In a recent public address, Wang explained that “when the first personal computers appeared, those who invested more time in them and grew up with that technology gained an advantage in the future economy, like Bill Gates and even Mark Zuckerberg.” Following this logic, Wang considers that vibe coding today represents the same opportunity: dedicating oneself deeply to these AI tools is equivalent to having grown up with personal computers in the 1980s and 1990s.
Wang warns that “if by chance you dedicate 10,000 hours to experimenting with the tools and discover how to use them better than others, that represents a huge advantage.” In other words, the continuous practice of vibe coding not only teaches programming but also allows internalization of patterns, discovering limits, and developing a technological intuition that will be hard to surpass for those who do not practice it.
This approach, which may sound radical, raises interesting questions: what does it mean to learn programming through vibe coding in this new technological environment? Is the recommendation feasible for a teenager today? What path has Wang followed to be able to speak authoritatively about vibe coding?
In this ITD Consulting article, we will explore these questions: first the context, then Wang’s profile, and finally the vibe coding proposal as a learning tool and competitive advantage in the new era of artificial intelligence.
Why a New Way of Programming Now?
We are living at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) has ceased to be a niche for researchers and has become a strategic lever for companies, governments, and sectors far beyond “traditional” technology. Three pillars are often cited as fundamental for AI development: computing, data, and algorithms. Wang himself has said that “AI is based on three pillars: computing, data, and algorithms.”
In his analysis, he maintains that computing is being driven by companies like NVIDIA, algorithmic advances come from major labs like OpenAI, and data is provided by companies like his own, Scale AI. But beyond this, Wang emphasizes that the true competitive advantage today arises from combining these three elements with the practice of vibe coding: deep learning and experimentation through AI-assisted intuitive programming. Those who dedicate time to vibe coding not only understand algorithms and data but also develop the intuition to use these tools creatively and effectively.
Wang considers that we are in an “incredible moment of discontinuity.” In other words: what works today may not work tomorrow in the same way, and those who start adapting now through vibe coding will have a greater ability to navigate that change. Learning to program with AI tools no longer means merely “writing code,” but also mastering the art of vibe coding, which involves collaborating with machines, understanding their possibilities, experimenting with them, and ultimately learning to “intuit” how to create innovative solutions.
The practice of vibe coding allows interactive exploration of AI: every test, adjustment, and error contributes to building deep knowledge of the tools available. Thus, those trained in vibe coding not only acquire technical skills but also develop the ability to anticipate how AI can enhance projects and solve complex problems, a trait Wang considers essential for those aspiring to lead in the digital economy of the future.
From Traditional Programming to “Vibe Coding”
Historically, programming has required learning languages (Python, Java, C++…), data structures, algorithms, compilers, and debugging—a process that can take years of formal or self-taught learning. However, the emergence of AI-powered code assistants (like GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT) is changing the rules of the game: it is now possible to ask AI in natural language to generate code snippets, correct errors, and suggest creative solutions, which has given rise to the approach known as vibe coding.
The term vibe coding, coined in February 2025 by Andrej Karpathy—former Head of AI at Tesla and co-founder of OpenAI—precisely describes this phenomenon. Instead of writing lines of code, the user practices vibe coding by describing what they want in natural language (“create a platform that organizes my weekly meals”), and the AI generates the necessary code. Karpathy defines vibe coding as “forgetting that code exists” and letting inspiration or the ‘vibe’ guide you, instead of relying solely on traditional technical skills.
Vibe coding does not completely replace technical knowledge—complex applications still require expert teams—but it democratizes access to programming. It allows people without deep training to experiment, create prototypes, and explore new possibilities. In this paradigm, human creativity becomes the engine and AI, through vibe coding, becomes the ideal assistant.
Who is Alexandr Wang and Why Listen to Him?
Alexandr Wang was born in 1997 in New Mexico, United States, to Chinese parents who worked as physicists for the Air Force. From a young age, he excelled in mathematics and programming, participating in competitions from sixth grade. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to study Computer Science but decided to leave university in 2016 to co-found Scale AI, demonstrating from an early age his ability to identify technological opportunities and pursue them with intensity and dedication. Since then, Wang has promoted the practice of vibe coding as a central approach to learning programming in the era of artificial intelligence, recommending accumulating thousands of hours experimenting with AI tools to gain a competitive advantage.
In 2016, along with Lucy Guo, Wang founded Scale AI to address the lack of high-quality data infrastructure for training AI models. The company specialized in data annotation and validation, becoming a key player in the AI ecosystem. Scale AI quickly grew to 1,500 employees and secured contracts with governments and companies in sectors such as defense, technology, and automotive. The vibe coding philosophy Wang promotes is reflected in the company’s innovation culture: constant experimentation, learning from mistakes, and adjusting solutions to create more efficient and creative software.
In 2025, Meta Platforms invested approximately $14.3 billion in Scale AI, acquiring 49 % of the company and valuing it at more than $29 billion. As part of the deal, Wang stepped down as CEO to lead Meta’s new “superintelligence” unit, while remaining a member of Scale AI’s board of directors. This strategic move also consolidated Wang’s vision of vibe coding as a crucial skill for the future, teaching that the ability to experiment with AI and code intuitively is a real differentiator in the tech industry.
Wang’s vision focuses on what he calls “an economy of agents,” in which AI not only assists but autonomously executes tasks under human supervision. His leadership style has been described as intensive and demanding, with a focus on quality, speed, and relevant infrastructure, though he has also faced criticism.
The rapid growth of Scale AI generated internal tensions, including complaints from former contractors about demanding conditions and staff cuts following Meta’s investment, showing that, despite being at the technological forefront, Wang must deal with the usual challenges of a rapidly expanding startup. Nonetheless, vibe coding continues to be a central pillar of his approach, encouraging experimentation, creativity, and the acquisition of skills that will allow the next generation of programmers to adapt and excel in an AI-driven world.
What is “vibe coding” and how to practice it?
Definition and origin
The term vibe coding refers to a programming methodology driven by artificial intelligence and natural language commands, prioritizing free experimentation over following strict courses or manuals. Vibe coding, coined in February 2025 by Andrej Karpathy, describes how AI tools allow the creation of applications without writing large amounts of code in the traditional way.
In vibe coding, the user does not need to memorize syntax or build from scratch; they simply describe what they want in everyday language, and the AI generates the code, which can then be modified, adjusted, and refined. In this way, vibe coding transforms programming into a more intuitive process, based on inspiration, curiosity, and constant experimentation.
Why is it relevant now?
Vibe coding democratizes software development by allowing people without deep technical training to prototype ideas and turn concepts into functional applications. Thanks to vibe coding, the creation process becomes much more agile: instead of writing hundreds of lines of code and testing manually, the user simply asks the AI for a solution, observes it, adjusts it, and repeats the cycle quickly.
This vibe coding approach fosters creativity by removing the initial technical barrier, giving freedom to focus on the idea, functionality, design, and user experience. Additionally, according to Wang, those who invest time in practicing vibe coding and experimenting with these tools will gain a significant competitive advantage, staying ahead of the technology adoption curve and mastering a key skill for the future.
How to practice vibe coding?
Practicing vibe coding begins with choosing an AI-assisted code platform, such as Copilot or ChatGPT, which allows code generation and adjustment via natural language. The key to vibe coding is to start with simple projects, formulating clear and everyday instructions rather than attempting to create complex applications from the start. Once the AI generates the first code snippets, it is essential to analyze them carefully, identify strengths and weaknesses, and learn from each result.
The vibe coding process is based on constant iteration: experimenting without fear, approaching the same problem from different angles, adjusting instructions, and testing variations until an optimal result is achieved. Recording findings, commands, and strategies that work helps build a deeper understanding of the tools. Additionally, participating in online communities dedicated to vibe coding—forums, GitHub, AI blogs, or specialized groups—allows for comparing methods, sharing progress, and discovering new ideas. As practice progresses, it is recommended to gradually increase the difficulty of projects, transforming initial curiosity into a solid and competitive skill.
Limits and warnings
Although vibe coding facilitates software creation and democratizes access to programming, it does not replace the deep technical knowledge needed for large-scale projects. AI tools can generate incorrect or insecure code, so careful supervision and review are always required. Additionally, relying exclusively on vibe coding can lead to a superficial understanding of code and its fundamentals. Since the technological landscape changes rapidly, the advantage gained today through vibe coding may diminish if continuous learning is not maintained and combined with solid technical knowledge.
Alexandr Wang’s recommendation is provocative: “dedicate all your time to programming intuitively.” For teenagers interested in technology, programming, or artificial intelligence, investing time in vibe coding can be a way to get ahead of the technology adoption curve and develop skills that will make a difference in their professional future. The key is to combine this practice with other activities that foster creativity, logic, and critical thinking, achieving more comprehensive learning and preparing young people for an environment where collaboration with machines will be increasingly essential. Additionally, the habit of experimenting and exploring through vibe coding allows a better understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations, which will be decisive in any tech career.
Wang emphasizes that the goal is not just to write code but to “learn to learn”: mastering tools today to adapt tomorrow. Motivation, curiosity, and patience are fundamental because dedicating thousands of hours to vibe coding involves facing errors, iterating, adjusting, and constantly testing new ideas. This methodology not only develops technical skills but also strengthens resilience, problem-solving ability, and applied creativity. Teenagers who immerse themselves in vibe coding learn to build, modify, and optimize digital solutions while developing an experimental and critical thinking mindset that prepares them to lead in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to start vibe coding early can make a difference in a young person’s professional and personal trajectory. For those seeking support in learning intuitive, AI-driven programming, ITD Consulting offers specialized services, practical training, and personalized guidance to maximize learning and application of these tools. Do not hesitate to take advantage of our services and write to [email protected] for more information; our team is ready to help you take the first steps in vibe coding and reach your full potential.
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