Vibe coding, coined by Andrej Karpathy, refers to AI-assisted coding where developers may overlook the complexities of the code, leading to tech debt, especially in prototypes and throwaway projects. While it can accelerate development for simple tasks, it poses risks when non-programmers attempt to maintain larger projects without understanding the underlying code, akin to mismanaging credit card debt. The article emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between leveraging AI tools and ensuring a solid foundational understanding of coding principles.