CEO Says He’ll Hire Anyone Who Can Vibe Code With AI, Regardless of Actual Skill

Tech Titan Steven Bartlett’s Radical Hiring Move Sparks Debate: ‘Vibe Coding’ Now a Top Priority

In a bold and controversial move that’s sending shockwaves through the tech industry, Steven Bartlett, the charismatic host of the wildly popular podcast The Diary of a CEO, has announced a radical new approach to hiring at his media empire, Flight Story. According to insiders, Bartlett is now prioritizing candidates who can “vibe code”—a term that’s quickly becoming the buzzword of 2026.

For those unfamiliar, “vibe coding” is the art of using AI to write code, build apps, and dream up entire programs, often with little to no traditional programming experience. It’s a free-spirited, experimental approach that’s gained traction among tech enthusiasts and skeptics alike. Bartlett, known for his forward-thinking and often polarizing views on technology, is betting big on this trend, and it’s causing a stir.

Isaac Martin, the director of innovation at Flight Story, explained the shift in a recent interview with Business Insider. “Previously, there would’ve been a big focus on developers, as that’s the typical sort of person you would expect to be within the innovation team,” Martin said. “We’re very much now looking for people who are much more within that vibe coding space, people who have experience across almost any area, really, within our industry.”

Bartlett’s reasoning is simple: vibe coding allows individuals to leverage their existing knowledge and creativity to identify new opportunities for innovation. “We have the ability to then develop and innovate within those spaces,” Martin added, emphasizing the company’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve.

But not everyone is thrilled about this new direction. Critics argue that vibe coding is a double-edged sword, with its reliance on AI often leading to “spaghetti code”—a term used to describe messy, bug-filled programs that are difficult to maintain. In fact, several high-profile projects have already fallen victim to the pitfalls of vibe coding, with amateur developers producing apps that are more glitch than functionality.

Even professional programmers have felt the sting of vibe coding gone wrong. Last year, Amazon Web Services experienced multiple outages caused by its in-house AI coding tool, which made catastrophic changes, including in one case deleting the entire coding environment. In March 2026, Amazon leadership admitted that “gen-AI assisted changes” were causing a “trend of incidents” that were disrupting its e-commerce business, prompting the company to implement stricter oversight on how AI-coding changes are implemented.

Despite these challenges, Bartlett remains undeterred. For him, vibe coding isn’t just about technical skill—it’s about mindset. “It’s about embracing new innovations and being willing to take risks,” said Christiana Brenton, FlightStory’s CRO and cofounder. Brenton likened the approach to a modern-day version of Vogue’s infamous 90s “Culture Test,” which asked potential hires if they were open to new ideas and innovations.

Bartlett’s bold move is part of a broader trend in the tech industry, where AI is increasingly being used to automate tasks traditionally performed by humans. From coding to content creation, AI is reshaping the way we work and think about productivity. But as Bartlett’s hiring strategy shows, it’s also raising questions about the future of work and the skills that will be valued in the years to come.

As the debate over vibe coding continues to rage, one thing is clear: Steven Bartlett isn’t afraid to take risks. Whether his gamble pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—he’s once again proven himself to be a disruptor in the tech world.

Tags: Steven Bartlett, vibe coding, AI hiring, Flight Story, tech innovation, AI coding, future of work, tech trends, 2026, disruptive hiring, AI tools, programming, tech industry, innovation, AI assistants, tech culture, coding trends, AI revolution, tech leadership, AI-driven development, tech disruption, AI in business, coding without code, AI-powered creativity, tech mindset, AI ethics, AI challenges, tech evolution, AI productivity, coding revolution, AI adoption, tech strategy, AI transformation, coding skills, AI impact, tech vision, AI experimentation, coding future, AI opportunities, tech boldness, AI skepticism, coding accessibility, AI potential, tech disruption, AI governance, coding creativity, AI limitations, tech debate, AI trends, coding innovation, AI influence, tech risk-taking, AI advancements, coding accessibility, AI ethics, tech leadership, AI transformation, coding revolution, AI adoption, tech strategy, AI-driven development, coding without code, AI-powered creativity, tech mindset, AI challenges, tech evolution, AI productivity, coding trends, tech culture, AI tools, innovation, tech industry, programming, AI coding, AI hiring, vibe coding, Flight Story, Steven Bartlett.

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