Beyond Coding: How Vibe Coding Reconfigures Software Development Work and the Professional Identity of Software Developers

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced new ways of developing software and raised questions about the changing role of professional software developers due to human-AI collaboration. One emerging practice is vibe coding, where developers use natural-language prompts to interact with generative AI-assisted coding tools to generate, refine, and evaluate software. While existing research has examined the role of AI-assisted programming in improving productivity and code quality, limited attention has been given to how vibe coding transforms software development work and the professional identity of software developers. This study addresses this gap by exploring how vibe coding reconfigures software development work, and how software developers perceive and reconfigure the changes in their professional identity. The study adopts a qualitative research approach based on semi-structured interviews with 11 experienced software developers. The empirical data were analysed using thematic content analysis, supported by ATLAS.ti, and the findings were interpreted through the lenses of Affordance theory and the Professional Identity Work framework. The findings suggest that the affordances of vibe coding are redistributing work between software developers and AI. As AI increasingly supports operational and repetitive activities such as code generation, developers spend more time on problem solving, reviewing, testing, and orchestrating AI tools. At the same time, limitations related to reliability, security, and code quality require continued human oversight and critical evaluation. These changes in work are also reconfiguring software developers’ professional identity. As the role becomes less centered on writing code, developers increasingly emphasise AI literacy, systems thinking, critical evaluation, and strategic decision-making as important forms of professional expertise. Developers therefore reconfigure their professional identity by adapting their skills and responsibilities while maintaining accountability for AI-generated outputs. This study contributes to the emerging literature on AI-assisted software development by showing that vibe coding is not only changing how software is developed but also redistributing work between humans and AI and reconfiguring the skills, responsibilities, and professional identity of software developers.