Something I need to be clear about is that I did in fact vibe code this whole project, and I mean to continue. 

I’ve been a “coder” since the 90s, but only in the sense that I mucked around with HTML, CSS, Python, and a few random snippets of stuff I did not fully understand in order to make websites work the way I wanted them too. Mostly, I lifted code from sites like Github and blogs (later, reddit) and customized it. It was a great way to learn about the basics, but in no way made me a professional coder. I was also a project manager in IT way back when, which means I know how and what to build, but not the means of building it. 

I am fully aware of my limitations, and creating the Keely App was far beyond them. Without the funds to hire coders and engineers to make my vision come to life, I was stuck. 

Then, AI. 

To be honest, I was wary of using AI to code something like this. I sandboxed everything, gave it very little access, and did most of it by copy/pasting into VS Code then ran it myself locally (i.e. on my own machine, not the web) before pushing it out online. 

Which meant I spent hours going back and forth on things that did not work, but eventually getting something that does work. More confident in the process, by the time I got to phase two, I started letting the AI do most of the work. I effectively made myself the project manager looking over the shoulder of the professional coder, pointing out issues and deciding on changes. 

For those already screaming in the comments (which I’ll probably turn off for this post, because the anti-AI crusaders are unhinged, omg), yes, I’m aware of the serious issues surrounding the AI industry, including the effect on the environment, local communities, electrical costs, privacy, and (not for nothing) fascist tech oligarchs. 

But AI really is amazing, and this is a use case as to why. I fear for the future along with everyone else, but also, I want a future where AI is used to create a better world for everyone. We’re going to have to fight for that, but in the meantime, I get to build a product I’ve been dreaming about for years. 

That’s the definition of progress, IMHO.