In an interview with Business Insider, Lovable CEO Anton Osika argued that the rise of AI-powered “vibe coding” tools has dismantled the traditional requirement of a computer science degree for a tech career, shifting the industry’s focus toward curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to ship products quickly.
The phenomenon at the center of this shift is “vibe coding”—using AI tools to generate and debug code based on natural language prompts. Osika’s company, Lovable, is itself a platform that allows users with limited programming knowledge to create software. He argues this technology significantly lowers the barrier to entry, eliminating the bottleneck that once required years of technical training.
“In the past, technical knowledge required years of training, creating a bottleneck for new builders in tech,” Osika explained. “Today, AI tools allow people to go from an idea to a working product without formal CS education.”
This empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter the field, with practical skills like rapid prototyping and problem-solving now mattering more than traditional credentials. However, Osika was careful to note that a CS degree retains its value for specialized, deep-tech roles. “A computer science degree still has value for those who want to ‘go deep on systems, theory, or research,’ as AI tools will not replace that level of rigor,” he emphasized.
Osika’s views reflect a broader industry trend accelerated by AI. Reports indicate that AI programming tools and recent layoffs are diminishing prospects for many new CS graduates, particularly in entry-level web development roles. Other tech leaders, like Y Combinator’s Garry Tan, have endorsed the power of AI-assisted coding to allow small teams to accomplish the work of much larger ones.
However, this shift is not without its skeptics. GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke has cautioned against over-reliance, arguing that startups built solely with coding assistants will struggle to attract investors without developers who can build complex, valuable systems.
Ultimately, Osika’s commentary reinforces a growing sentiment in tech hiring: that hands-on experience and a strong portfolio often trump a formal degree, a reality that AI is now making accessible to a wider pool of builders than ever before.