More people are using AI to build small apps for themselves

In short: More non-programmers are using AI tools to create simple, personal software that fits their exact needs.

What's going on

A new habit is spreading in tech circles and beyond. People are using AI to make small apps and scripts (little programs that do one job) without learning traditional coding first. Some call this “vibe coding,” meaning you start with a rough idea and let AI help turn it into something usable.

The Verge points to a shift that picked up in late 2025, after an update to Anthropic’s Claude model improved Claude Code. Anthropic is an AI company, and Claude is its AI system (a text tool that can answer questions and write things). Claude Code is a feature that can write computer code for you, based on what you describe in plain language. The article describes it as moving from “surprising if it worked” to “surprising when it didn’t,” and suggests some people can now pay about $20 a month and get functional software built from a half-formed idea.

The bigger idea is “personal software.” For decades, most software was made by professional developers for large groups of users. That often meant the tool was “good enough” for many people, but not perfect for anyone. These AI coding tools act more like a helpful assistant who can draft and revise, so a teacher, a lawyer, or a church volunteer can try building a tool that matches their own workflow.

What to watch

If this continues, more everyday software could start as small, personal projects, then spread to coworkers and communities. It also raises practical questions, like whether AI-made apps are secure and reliable, especially when they handle private information.

Source: The Verge AI