Vibe Coding: Accelerating Service Delivery in the Government

As public demand for faster digital services grows, agencies are exploring new ways to keep up. Vibe coding, which has become a catchy term used by developers on LinkedIn, Reddit, etc., integrates artificial intelligence (AI) into development to allow even non-programmers to rapidly prototype and deploy applications, fundamentally rethinking how software is built in government. This AI-assisted practice is already changing how government works by enabling one person, with the right tools, and background knowledge to build real, usable services fast. In an era of digital modernization, understanding vibe coding is key to unlocking new levels of agility in government. 

Defining Vibe Coding in Government 

At its core, vibe coding is an “AI-assisted programming paradigm that empowers individuals, irrespective of their coding proficiency, to develop functional software applications”. Coined by Andrej Karpathy in 2025, vibe coding shifts the developer’s role from writing code line-by-line to guiding an intelligent assistant. In practice, a user describes the desired outcome or feature in plain language, and the AI generates the code to achieve it. This approach builds on low-code/no-code trends by further lowering technical barriers, enabling staff to interact with an AI to create basic software frameworks with ease. However, unlike traditional low-code platforms that rely on visual interfaces and predefined modules, vibe coding leverages natural language prompts and AI agents to generate original code on the fly but still requires coding knowledge and/or development post-generation. The result is a process driven more by human intent than complex syntax and allows teams to succeed and fail (read: learn) faster. 

Speed, Agility, and Responsiveness 

The most immediate benefit of vibe coding is a dramatic increase in development speed and flexibility. Solutions can be prototyped in days instead of months, allowing agencies to respond to public needs or policy changes with unprecedented agility. For example, rather than waiting for an IT team, a policy analyst could use vibe coding to automate a data-entry task or build a simple public-facing form on their own. According to Dr. Bill Brantley, BAS2A, “Vibe coding helps by enabling employees to create custom apps that improve efficiency and service delivery” even in resource-constrained settings. And because AI can quickly refine code based on feedback, new features or fixes can be implemented in near-real time, leading to digital services that continuously evolve. 

Vibe Coding in Action

Consider a few scenarios where vibe coding could accelerate government projects: 

• Benefits Chatbot: A social service agency vibe-codes a benefits eligibility chatbot – an analyst describes the rules in natural language and the AI builds a barebones Q&A bot to demonstrate the use-case. 
• Procurement Dashboard: A contracting officer produces a contract-tracking dashboard by outlining needed data and charts and letting the AI generate a live interface that highlights key metrics (deadlines, spending, etc.). 
• Citizen Reporting App: A city employee with no coding experience creates a pothole-reporting mobile app by explaining the requirements to an AI, which then produces a working app integrated with the city’s service request system. 

Culture Shift and Modernization 

Vibe coding requires a cultural shift: software development in government used to belong only to IT specialists, but now, digital-first must be everyone’s priority. This inclusive approach aligns with modernization goals to upskill staff and break down silos. Vibe coding encourages an experimental mindset, as employees can test ideas quickly and iterate on feedback to bring concepts to reality. 

While vibe coding unlocks new potential, it’s essential to implement it within secure, policy-aligned environments. Guardrails, role-based access, and oversight by IT professionals are critical to ensure that this innovation supports—not disrupts—agency missions. 

How FedTec Can Help 

At FedTec, we believe the future of government service delivery lies in the intersection of speed, security, and simplicity. That’s why we created FedTec Labs, our purpose-built solution factory, engineered to rapidly move ideas from concept to impact across federal missions. We co-create with agencies to develop scalable, secure, AI-powered solutions that reshape how government works. With deep expertise in ServiceNow and other leading ERP platforms, AI Automation, and more, we help federal agencies unlock the power of AI-assisted development while maintaining the governance and compliance required for mission-critical work. Whether you’re looking to streamline internal workflows, modernize legacy systems, or build intuitive citizen-facing tools, FedTec stands ready to accelerate your transformation and redefine tomorrow, one intelligent build at a time.  

What’s Next 

As agencies explore the promise of vibe coding, the next challenge is how to introduce and scale it responsibly. Our next blog will explore frameworks for adopting vibe coding in government, including how to empower frontline workers without compromising security, standards, or IT oversight. Stay tuned for practical strategies that balance innovation with governance.