Cursor CEO cautions that ‘vibe coding’ establishes unstable foundations, ultimately leading to collapse.

(SeaPRwire) –   While Cursor employs AI to support developers, CEO and co-founder Michael Truell insists the platform should not be associated with “vibe coding.”

A decade ago, programming involved manually entering code into simple text editors. Truell explained that this traditional method is fading fast due to the rise of generative AI.

“Developers are increasingly able to distance themselves from the raw code and task AI with completing entire projects,” Truell remarked during the Brainstorm AI conference last December.

However, he warned that programmers should be careful not to disconnect entirely, noting that AI-assisted development exists on a spectrum.

What exactly is vibe coding?

The trendy term “vibe coding” is often used to describe all AI-driven development. In practice, it typically refers to beginners or casual users attempting to build software without understanding the underlying mechanics.

“Vibe coding is essentially a way of using AI where you ignore the code entirely and just tell the machine to build what you want,” Truell said.

He compared the practice to building a house with walls and a roof while remaining ignorant of the plumbing or the foundation’s stability.

This approach might work for simple prototypes like basic games or websites, but Truell cautioned that it can lead to serious issues in sophisticated programming.

“If you ignore the code and allow AI to create weak foundations, the entire structure will eventually collapse as you try to scale it,” he cautioned.

The Cursor difference and its impact

In contrast, Cursor integrates AI directly into the environment where developers work. By analyzing the existing codebase, it can predict subsequent lines of code, offer multi-line completions, and generate entire functions. It also assists with debugging and clarifying error messages.

Though only 25, Truell’s perspective is influential. He and three fellow MIT graduates launched the precursor to Cursor in 2022.

Since its inception, Cursor has grown into a leading coding assistant, boasting over 1 million daily active users. Reports indicate the company has reached $1 billion in annualized revenue and employs 300 people.

The startup initially secured $8 million from the OpenAI Startup Fund in 2023, followed by significant investments from firms like Andreessen Horowitz. By 2025, a $2.3 billion funding round valued the company at $29.3 billion, with recent reports suggesting its valuation could soon hit $50 billion.

Truell argued that while “vibe coders” may be operating without technical oversight, Cursor provides a middle ground that allows experts to maintain control over specific details.

“It also allows you to step back and let the AI handle comprehensive tasks when you choose to,” he added.

An earlier version of this report was published on .com on December 25, 2025.

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