> Chatbot sites like character.ai and Chai AI have been linked to user suicides, for understandable reasons: if you allow users near-unlimited control over chatbots, over time you’ll eventually end up with some chatbots who get into an “encouraging the user to self-harm” state.
I do not understand why one could commit suicide over something a computer told them. At the same time, I understand that people may be in an unstable state or undereducated to be in a "relationship" with an AI model.
I think it's time for humanity to start developing mental health. Otherwise, we are doomed to be a strange hybrid with computer models.
>I'm also only a sample size of one, but I previously offered web development in a similar fashion (pre-LLM) and I found that clients didn't have the working knowledge to even know what they wanted to guide or influence the project in any meaningful way.
Well, I can definitely see it! People jumping onto the vibe-coding bandwagon as if there are no risks.
I think at some point the users will build enough pushback so the vibe coders start looking for engineers to at least prevent a huge flop.
> Perhaps your audience would be able to work with the dev/LLM in a more harmonious way -- I found that both the developer and customer became frustrated with the experience and most projects reverted to a "here's a draft, let me know what you want changed" flow to satisfy the deadlines. Don't let me deter you, I'm just sharing what derailed me in a different but similar adventure.
Absolutely! I'm not a stranger to Upwork/getafreelancer on both engineer and customer side. The most crazy projects were when people built something from sticks and stones claming that they've done 80% and now need to finish 20%. When in reality it was a good case for a complete rewrite. Here is an avid example: https://www.reddit.com/r/vibecoding/comments/1l46lh1/i_tried...
I think you are absolutely right. A mediocre engineer will not fit this marketplace, since LLM already produced a mediocre code by definition.
As for talent. Honestly, as an engineer, I would be attracted to success and a challenge. Say someone vibe-coded a successful product and struggling to scale it up. That is a message I'm approaching engineers right now. But I fully understand that I'm a sample one and open to any other views.
* Technically it's not an app. It's a web page. It gives me a an insecurity feeling that my data will be lost on a refresh.
POV of the guy who is building "privacy-first" app:
Feels like you fell in love with your solution. Ask your wife to talk to her friends if they care about privacy? Watch a first time user uses your app.
IMHO privacy is a real concern for a fringe minority of the users. You and me are among those. What you just did - is verified that Mr. Market does not care.
When I asked my wife about privacy, she was like "what???".
Couple books that helped shape my view on this: "Fall in love with a problem, not a solution" and "Mom's Test".