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Michigan State University

Vibe Coding Guide: Using GenAI for Coding Support: Introduction

Resources to support MSU students, faculty, staff, and community members in learning about and using generative artifical intelligence (GenAI) for coding.

What is Vibe Coding?

Vibe coding refers to using natural language prompts to create usable programming code through generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).

While GenAI can be a helpful tool for coding tasks, it relies entirely on user input and does not independently identify or solve problems. Users must critically evaluate the output and check for errors or areas of concern. Vibe coding is not suitable for all programming projects.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Vibe Coding

The following table lists a few key benefits and drawbacks to vibe coding. This table is not exhaustive. Users should feel encouraged to continue to think of benefits, potential risks, and other drawbacks when considering if vibe coding is right for their project.

Benefits Drawbacks
  • Lower barrier of entry for non-coders
  • Environmental impact through energy consumption
  • Often quicker than writing code manually
  • Data privacy concerns
  • Allows for projects to be created that would otherwise not have the resources to exist
  • Code is often inefficient and may be hard for a coder to work with

GenAI at MSU

MSU expects all members of its community to follow the MSU Guidelines for the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI) Tools when using generative AI tools in teaching, research, administrative, and professional contexts. To safeguard institutional data, the university also expects all members of its community to use generative AI tools that are institutionally approved and supported when conducting work on behalf of MSU.

Using MSU-approved generative AI tools helps minimize the risk of inappropriate data sharing and promotes the responsible, effective integration of AI into academic and administrative work. These tools have undergone formal compliance and security reviews, ensuring a more secure and reliable environment aligned with MSU policies, including the Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology Resources and the Institutional Data Policy.