I’ve already written about the pros and cons of vibe coding… but this time, let’s look deeper into its dark side.
This post continues my previous article, Vibe Coding: Pros and Cons, where I shared my story and perspective from six years of experience as a self-taught developer and university lecturer.
So don’t get me wrong — I love AI.
But we need to talk about something most people ignore: the main risks of using AI to code
When AI Lies Confidently: The Hidden Risk of AI-Generated Code Mistakes
Nowadays, people rely on AI chats more than on other people — even those who are qualified to help.
That makes sense: humans make mistakes.
But so does AI — and the difference is that AI doesn’t know it’s wrong.
It can’t judge truth or falsehood; it just throws data back at you based on your prompt.
I’ve seen this firsthand.
AI-generated code mistakes happen so often that I literally have to teach my students to think first instead of using ChatGPT as a shortcut.
Once, during class, everyone had to complete a small project.
Each student got the same exact error.
They hadn’t copied from each other — the problem came from outdated AI data.
ChatGPT confidently produced code using an old variable name that no longer existed in the latest library version.
One student came to me:
“It doesn’t work, can you help?”
I debugged it — and then the next student arrived with the same bug.
I even tested the prompt in ChatGPT and got the same wrong answer.
That’s when it hit me — AI can sound so sure while being completely off.
That’s the first dark side: it doesn’t know it’s wrong, but it still sounds right.
Since then, I always remind my students to learn first and use AI only when they can verify the output.
You can’t verify something you don’t understand.
Be careful — AI’s confidence is not proof of truth.
Overreliance on AI and the Lost Skill of Thinking
I started coding six years ago, when things were very different.
And yes — I know times change.
But as someone who observes those changes daily, I have thoughts.
Using AI isn’t wrong.
Overrelying on it is.
It’s helpful and fast, but it’s not perfect.
When we skip the basics, we end up coding without understanding, and that never lasts long.
AI coding tools don’t think — they predict.
They generate patterns based on probability, not logic or intuition.
We, the developers, are still the ones getting paid to think.
We’re responsible for the code — even when it’s AI-generated.
So remember:
A human is for thinking; AI is for assisting.
Use ChatGPT as your second hand, not your only brain.
The Disappearing “Aha!” Moments: Vibe Coding vs Real Coding
AI kills creativity — at least a part of it.
You can agree or not, but how many times have you asked an AI tool to create something… and it wasn’t even close to what you imagined?
Your imagination is limitless; AI’s isn’t.
It depends entirely on the data it’s trained on.
The same happens when you learn to code with AI.
If you don’t understand a concept, AI gives you the answer instantly — and that shortcut kills curiosity.
When you don’t struggle a bit, you don’t remember or truly understand.
Back in the day, I solved puzzles and LeetCode problems for fun.
Now, most people would call that a waste of time.
But that’s exactly where real learning happens — in problem-solving and debugging.
The new generation stops learning to think and starts learning to prompt.
Is that good or bad? Depends on you.
For me, it’s fascinating — and a bit worrying — to watch students deny using AI even when the tab is open right in front of them.
Security Risks using AI Nobody Talks About
This might be the most dangerous side of AI tools — sharing sensitive data without realizing it.
You’d be surprised how many people paste entire codebases into ChatGPT without checking if they contain API keys, passwords, or internal logic.
Once you hit Enter, it’s gone.
AI tools don’t guarantee privacy, and the data you share can be stored or used for model training.
Be mindful.
Verify what you can share — and what you definitely shouldn’t.
With today’s advanced technologies, privacy in AI tools is harder than ever.
Take responsibility for what you prompt into AI chats.
The Human Side of AI Coding: Confidence, Identity, and the Future of Developers
Many developers ask the same questions:
What is the future of AI in coding?
Is AI going to replace programmers?
Is vibe coding better than real coding?
The answer? We should remember who holds the keyboard.
Take advantage of AI — but don’t give it all your power.
I believe in my students.
They’re smart and capable, but the temptation is real.
And I know some of them silently wonder, “Could I do this from scratch without AI?”
Yes — you absolutely could.
If you’re reading this, you already understand the traps.
You know that you’re the brain of the operation; the machine is just a tool.
Junior developers often lose confidence because they think AI is better than them — but the truth is, it’s not.
The dark side isn’t the tool.
It’s forgetting who’s holding the keyboard.
Final Thoughts – Learn to Code With AI, but Don’t Automate Understanding
AI isn’t evil.
It’s just something we need to learn how to handle.
Using it isn’t a crime — and almost every developer does it now.
The point is to use it wisely, not blindly.
Take advantage of AI, but don’t let vibe coding replace real understanding.
Don’t fear it — just be responsible.If you’re still learning to code, start with understanding, not shortcuts.
Download my free guide “10 Steps to Become a Front-End Developer” at Bite of Code
— and build your skills the right way, one bite at a time.
FAQ: AI Coding, Vibe Coding & Beginner Risks
Vibe coding is coding with heavy AI assistance — often without understanding the logic behind the output. For beginners, this can be risky because it creates “false confidence” and slows real learning. AI can generate working code, but you still need to understand how and why it works.
Yes. AI tools often produce outdated syntax, incorrect patterns, or subtle bugs. Since AI predicts answers rather than understanding them, its code can sound correct while being completely wrong. Always verify AI-generated code before using it.
Overreliance on AI replaces problem-solving with prompting. Beginners who skip foundational concepts struggle later with debugging, reading errors, or building projects from scratch. AI should assist your learning — not replace it.
Definitely. Many developers paste entire code files — including API keys, tokens, or sensitive business logic — directly into AI chats. This creates serious privacy and security risks. Always remove sensitive data before prompting.
AI won’t replace developers who understand code. It automates simple tasks, but humans are still needed for decision-making, architecture, debugging, and responsibility. The future belongs to developers who combine strong fundamentals with smart AI usage.
