Andrej Karpathy and AI-assisted coding
What does Andrej Karpathy’s view on AI-assisted coding reveal about the future of software engineering?
Andrej Karpathy, a prominent figure in artificial intelligence and a former director of AI at Tesla, has raised significant questions regarding the evolving landscape of software engineering. He suggests that the integration of AI into coding practices is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in how software is developed. Karpathy has coined the term ‘vibe coding’ to describe this new approach, where coding is increasingly driven by AI tools rather than traditional manual methods.
According to Karpathy, his own coding style has transformed dramatically, with 80% of his coding now performed by AI agents, leaving only 20% for manual coding. He notes, “I really am mostly programming in English now, a bit sheepishly telling the LLM what code to write… in words.” This shift highlights a growing reliance on AI tools, which have become more coherent and capable over time.
Karpathy points to a pivotal moment in December 2025, when AI coding agents reportedly crossed a threshold of coherence, marking a phase shift in software engineering. This change has been echoed by other developers in the field. Boris Cherny, a developer, stated, “Pretty much 100% of our code is written by Claude Code,” underscoring the extent to which AI is now integrated into the coding process.
The impact of AI-assisted coding is evident in recent surveys. A Stack Overflow 2025 Developer Survey revealed that 84% of respondents either use or plan to use AI-assisted programming. However, this enthusiasm is tempered by skepticism; 46% of developers expressed doubts about the accuracy of AI tools, while only 33% felt confident in the results produced by these systems.
One notable project in this evolving landscape is NanoClaw, developed by Gavriel Cohen, which has garnered over 18,000 stars on GitHub. Despite its popularity, Cohen’s legitimate site is being overshadowed by a fraudulent site in search rankings, highlighting the challenges that developers face in navigating the AI-driven coding environment.
Karpathy’s reflections on AI-assisted coding indicate a significant change in software engineering practices. He acknowledges a personal struggle with this shift, stating, “I’ve already noticed that I am slowly starting to atrophy my ability to write code manually.” This sentiment resonates with many developers who are adapting to a new reality where AI tools play an increasingly dominant role.
As the software engineering community continues to grapple with these changes, the future of coding remains uncertain. While the benefits of AI-assisted programming are clear, the ongoing concerns about accuracy and reliability suggest that the transition will require careful consideration and adaptation from developers. Details remain unconfirmed regarding how these dynamics will evolve in the coming years, but the influence of figures like Karpathy will undoubtedly shape the discourse around AI in software development.
