Sean Phillip Reyna, an IT data architect with the city of Austin, Texas, recently led a team in developing applications involving artificial intelligence (AI) agents, vector stores, and data chunking—all within the city’s firewall. The work, typically requiring around five weeks under normal circumstances, was completed in just two days, thanks to a novel technique called vibe coding, which leverages AI to streamline software development. Public-sector technology experts have noted the potential of vibe coding to expedite prototyping, improve vendor interactions, and ultimately enhance procurement processes.
“I felt a little bit like a door unlocked,” Reyna remarked, acknowledging that while he is familiar with several coding languages, his experience with Python is limited. “Using it was empowering for sure.” Vibe coding operates similarly to generative AI technologies, utilizing large language models to allow users to create software through natural language prompts. In essence, users describe the desired functionality, and the platform generates the corresponding code.
Despite its advantages, Reyna and other public-sector technologists caution that vibe coding is not infallible. They emphasize the need for thorough verification of the generated work, particularly in the realm of public-sector projects that involve sensitive data. While the verification process is still significantly faster than building applications from scratch, it remains essential to ensure security and accuracy.
This is particularly relevant for internal applications and proofs of concept, rather than public-facing projects. In Austin, discussions are underway about leveraging vibe coding to prototype various initiatives. At the recent Beyond the Beltway conference near Washington, D.C., Utah’s Chief Information Officer Alan Fuller spoke about the transformative potential of vibe coding for in-house development, stating, “We can’t ignore the possibility that these AI tools are going to make it way cheaper and faster to develop.”
Another example comes from Melanie McDonough, the chief innovation and AI officer in Lebanon, New Hampshire, a small city of about 14,000 residents. McDonough has utilized vibe coding for various internal projects, such as making the city’s strategic plan searchable online. She was instrumental in introducing the concept to Austin’s technologists and has shared its potential with other cities, including Anchorage, Alaska, mainly for prototyping purposes.
“I think where a lot of us are is, ‘Hey, does this have merit and does it actually work?’” McDonough said. The potential benefits are substantial, particularly for smaller jurisdictions. For instance, she illustrated how vibe coding could simplify access to complex zoning ordinances, which currently span over 200 pages and vary by district. This could enable residents to easily find out if they can keep chickens in their backyards, depending on their specific zoning district.
McDonough noted that vibe coding helps visualize possible solutions, although scaling those solutions remains a challenge. Consequently, the current best use of vibe coding in government appears to be in prototyping and facilitating interactions with vendors. It enables technologists to present a clearer outline of their ideas, making collaboration more efficient.
She also stressed the importance of using only public data to mitigate risks associated with sharing sensitive information with the platform. “It’s not to be taken lightly,” McDonough cautioned, noting that her vibe coding efforts often involve a program called Replit, which includes a security check feature prior to finalizing applications.
Conversely, vibe coding can also benefit tech vendors in the government sector by accelerating the prototype demonstration process. Nichole Sterling, mayor pro tem of Nederland, Colorado, and a representative from the gov tech company My Town AI, shared her perspective on the dual benefits of vibe coding. While her company primarily focuses on using AI for government tasks like writing grants and RFPs, Sterling has also utilized vibe coding to develop initial user experiences.
“For me, vibe coding is about connecting dots in local government and the pain points we often have to endure,” Sterling explained. “It’s bridging that with the technology that AI offers.” As interest in vibe coding grows within the public sector, its ability to bridge the gap between technological possibilities and practical solutions may lead to significant advancements in local governance.
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