GitLab CEO Predicts AI Coding Assistants Will Boost Engineer Numbers, Not Reduce Them

GitLab’s CEO, William Staples, addressed concerns during an earnings call on Tuesday, asserting that the advent of AI coding assistants will actually lead to an increase in the number of engineers rather than a decrease. The term "vibe coding," coined by OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy, refers to the practice of using AI tools to write code, which has become a significant trend this year. Staples noted that while there has been considerable debate and anxiety among engineers about their job security, his 30-year career in the tech industry has shown that advancements in productivity often create new opportunities rather than eliminate jobs. Staples pointed out that AI coding assistants, such as GitLab’s own Duo, offer a level of abstraction that makes coding accessible to individuals with minimal technical skills. This democratization of coding, he believes, will attract new talent to the field, thereby expanding the engineer workforce. He added that while the impact of AI in this domain is stronger than previous technological advancements, the historical pattern suggests that these tools will enhance, rather than replace, human engineers. During the call, GitLab’s Chief Financial Officer, Brian Robins, echoed Staples’ optimism. He mentioned that the adoption of AI coding assistants has been beneficial for the company. Customers are adding more employees to their GitLab subscriptions, and more code is being produced, which GitLab’s suite of services helps manage. In the first quarter, GitLab reported a 27% year-on-year revenue increase to $214.5 million, slightly exceeding analysts’ expectations. However, the revenue guidance for the second quarter—ranging from $226 million to $227 million—fell just short of the projected $227 million, leading to a post-earnings call stock drop of over 12%. Despite the short-term financial hiccup, GitLab’s stock has risen 11% over the past year, fueled by growing subscriptions and strategic price increases. The company sees a positive trend in the integration of AI into its workflows, aligning with broader industry shifts. The trend of vibe coding is not isolated to GitLab. Job listings from major tech companies such as Visa, Reddit, and DoorDash, along with numerous startups, have begun to explicitly require or prefer candidates with experience in or familiarity with AI code generators like Cursor and Bolt. This shift indicates that AI-assisted coding is becoming a standard skill in the tech job market, rather than a niche or optional one. Moreover, top executives from Big Tech are embracing vibe coding. Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, shared his positive experience with using AI to code a webpage at a recent conference. Similarly, Amazon is reportedly considering formal adoption of Cursor after employee interest and inquiries about its use. The rise of AI in coding is reshaping the tech landscape, with companies recognizing the potential of these tools to boost productivity and efficiency. However, the debate continues among engineers and industry experts about the long-term impacts on job roles and the quality of code produced. Some argue that overreliance on AI could trivialize the coding process and devalue the expertise of seasoned professionals. Others, like Staples, view it as an opportunity for expansion and innovation in the field. Industry insiders and analysts generally agree that AI coding tools have significant potential to accelerate development cycles and improve code quality, provided they are used as augmentations to human expertise rather than replacements. GitLab, known for its comprehensive code management platform, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend by enhancing its services and fostering a more inclusive and productive developer community. In summary, while the immediate impact of AI coding assistants is mixed, with some financial challenges for companies like GitLab, the long-term outlook is promising. These tools are likely to lower barriers to entry in software development, leading to a more diverse and robust engineering workforce. GitLab, along with other major players, sees a future where human and AI collaboration in coding becomes the norm, driving both technological and business advancements.