Linux creator Linus Torvalds says Vibe coding is fun for beginners, just don’t expect billion-dollar apps
Linux creator Linus Torvalds recently shared his thoughts on ‘vibe coding’, which is a term used for generating code with AI. Torvalds made it clear that Vibe coding will never create huge billion-dollar projects, but it is a good way to bring more users into the computer world.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed almost every industry, the tech sector is no different. A new trend has grown in popularity, called ‘vibe coding’. Vibe coding refers to the use of AI tools like cursors to generate code instead of doing everything manually. Linux creator Linus Torvalds elaborated on the good and bad sides of Vibe coding, insisting that no Vibe coder can truly create a billion-dollar app.
At the Open Source Summit Korea 2025, Torvalds explained that Vibe coding allowed more people to enter the computer world and use AI “for small, personal projects”, at a time when the technology was becoming complex. He recalled his early days, saying, “Your expectations for programming have gotten so high that it’s a lot harder to get started these days than it was when I was younger, and I got into computers, and I got excited about it.”
You won’t get a billion dollar app through Vibe coding
While vibe coding makes things more accessible, Linus stressed that there are still limitations when implemented at scale. He added, “I really think vibe coding can be a terrible, terrible idea from a maintainability standpoint if you actually try to build a product for it.” The Linux creator clarified that he has nothing against Vibe coding as it allows more people to learn and do more with computers. Linus Torvalds said, “I think it’s a great way for new people to get involved and excited about computers in a way that they might not otherwise be. And so I’m actually quite positive about all of this.”
Linux creator wants less AI hype
AI is the topic of discussion at the moment. Every new company is working on AI in some way or the other. Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are pouring billions of dollars into AI infrastructure. Although this has raised fears of an AI bubble, investors and companies are willing to take the risk.
But Linus Torvalds wants a calmer environment around AI and less talk about the technology. He explained, “I look forward to the day when AI isn’t so hyped up and it’s like an everyday reality that no one constantly talks about, and that’s obviously a few years away from now.”