Publication Date: November 22, 2025
Overview
- Author: Felix Krauth
- Source: WinFuture
- Date: November 22, 2025
- Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
Summary
Linux creator Linus Torvalds shows surprising openness toward vibe-coding, a new AI-assisted programming method, but draws clear boundaries when it comes to professional software development.
- Torvalds spoke thoughtfully about the controversial topic at the Open Source Summit Korea 2025
- Vibe-Coding describes creating software primarily through AI prompts without deep code understanding
- AI-assisted programming can spark experimentation among beginners and lower entry barriers
- Parallel to the 1980s: Back then, enthusiasts typed BASIC code from magazines without understanding syntax
- For professional software and the Linux kernel, Torvalds categorically rejects vibe-coding
- Maintenance problems arise with complex products created purely via AI
- Torvalds sees AI as a tool like compilers, not as a job killer for developers
Opportunities & Risks
Opportunities
- Lowering entry barriers for new programmers
- Reviving experimental spirit in software development
- Enables laypeople to use complex computer functions
- Productivity gains similar to compiler introduction
Risks
- Massive maintenance problems in long-term projects
- Quality defects in critical software systems
- Lack of understanding of generated code
- Unsuitable for security-critical applications like the Linux kernel
Future Outlook
Short-term (1 year): The hype around vibe-coding will continue to intensify, but professional projects will remain cautious.
Medium-term (5 years): AI tools will become everyday reality in development without replacing fundamental programming knowledge.
Long-term (10-20 years): AI will be established as a natural tool, comparable to today's compilers or development environments.
Fact Check
Well-documented: Torvalds' statements come directly from the Open Source Summit Korea 2025 and are documented through video material. His known critical stance on various developments is evidenced by previous statements.
Lack of transparency: Concrete numbers on the spread of vibe-coding or its impact on software quality are not provided.
Brief Conclusion
Linus Torvalds shows a pragmatic attitude toward vibe-coding: positive for beginners, but unsuitable for professional development. The topic is relevant because it affects the future of programming and handling of AI tools. Developers should understand AI as an aid but never neglect fundamental understanding of code.
Three Key Questions
Freedom: Does vibe-coding lead to more freedom in programming or does it restrict creative control through dependence on AI tools?
Responsibility: Who bears responsibility for errors and security vulnerabilities in AI-generated code that the developer doesn't fully understand?
Transparency: How transparent are AI-generated code solutions and what innovations emerge from the combination of human creativity and machine assistance?