The future of code is exciting and terrifying

Suddenly it seems like everyone's a coder. Or, at the very least, like they play one in the Claude Code app. But even for the seasoned pros, the act of software development is changing fast - many people are writing less code themselves and instead spending their time managing agents and projects. So what does […]

By The Verge

• March 17, 2026 at 3:16 PM

The future of code is exciting and terrifying Photo: The Verge

On The Vergecast: how to love and hate AI at the same time, and what US phone buyers are missing.

Suddenly it seems like everyone’s a coder .

Or, at the very least, like they play one in the Claude Code app.

But even for the seasoned pros, the act of software development is changing fast — many people are writing less code themselves and instead spending their time managing agents and projects.

So what does all that change mean, both for the code and the people who make it?

On this episode of The Vergecast , Paul Ford, a writer and entrepreneur and longtime tech thinker , explains his journey into vibe coding.

He’s building more than ever, solving lots of problems, taking on interesting projects, and feeling a surprising amount of emotional conflict in the process.

Ford explains why he’s excited about the Claude Code-y future of things and also worried about what it all might mean.

Is it possible to love and hate AI at the same time?

It might have to be.

After that, The Verge ’s Dominic Preston helps answer a question from the Vergecast Hotline (call 866-VERGE11 or email vergecast@theverge.com !) about the differences between the US phone market and the global phone market, and whether US buyers are missing anything important.

If you want a really great camera in your phone, it turns out you’re going to need to go international.

And get used to having a really ugly phone.

If you want to know more about everything we discuss in this episode, here are some links to get you started:
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