Outsourcing may have a fresh face: Vibe Coding emerge as new offshoring option.
Building software on your own is now a reality with vibe coding. This new approach allows one person to accelerate prototyping and automate parts of the development process, making them a Digital Robinson Crusoe - someone who can launch digital products independently. But, is it really as simple and effortless as it sounds?
The truth is, these solo-built products often rely on vibe architecture - code that functions, but wasn't intentionally designed or engineered. This code lacks clean layers, modular components, and guidelines for scaling, making it fragile and prone to breaking when the storm hits or when the product starts growing.
At Inclusion Cloud, we've noticed an increase in Digital Robinson Crusoes. They create products quickly on their island, but when storms hit or the product expands, they're left without a map, a team, or a solid foundation.
So, what can vibe coding replace, and where does outsourcing still offer long-term value?
Vibe coding offers a paper plane-quick, easy to launch, and gets off the ground fast. However, its fragility becomes more apparent the further it goes. While it removes technical barriers, it introduces new technical debt-the kind that's harder to spot due to its custom and fast nature.
In contrast, outsourcing still provides strategic value by bringing in specialized knowledge, accelerating delivery, and ensuring systems are built to last. A top-tier outsourcing partner offers scalable architecture, modular design, well-documented code, QA and DevOps baked in, security, compliance, accountability, and a sense of ownership.
In conclusion, while vibe coding can help in fast prototyping, no-vendor selection, zero coordination overhead, and lower initial costs, it's not a replacement for traditional outsourcing when building complex systems, especially as they grow in size and complexity. Additionally, finding developers with a solid understanding of architecture and the ability to use AI responsibly is crucial to building systems that last. That's where outsourcing, done right, becomes critical.
When facing the challenge of building complex digital systems, vibe coding may provide a swift launch but its fragility is unveiled over time, with its improvised code lacking guidelines for scaling and prone to breaking in the face of growth and complexity. On the other hand, outsourcing offers a strategic advantage by bringing in specialized knowledge, ensuring scalable architecture, modular design, well-documented code, QA and DevOps, security, compliance, accountability, and a sense of ownership – making it an indispensable choice when building lasting and responsible AI systems.
