Good morning. These days, you don’t need coding knowledge to build software. Artificial intelligence can do it for you. Known as “vibe-coding,” it’s similar to other forms of generative AI: impressive or useless, depending on your perspective. But it has the potential to change the future of work. That’s in focus today, along with a look at the loonie’s performance in 2025.
Up firstIn the news
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Personal finance: More Canadian millionaires are seeking to move abroad. Why do so many never take off?
Saad Sahi has a business helping people to clean up vibe-coding, meaning software code written by AI.Amber Bracken/The Globe and Mail
In focusCatching a vibe
Hi, I’m Joe Castaldo, a Globe business reporter with a focus on artificial intelligence.
All year, I’ve been talking to businesses about vibe-coding, which means using AI to write software. I’ve heard a lot about how professional coders are getting more work done with AI assistance, and how complete amateurs can create software without writing a single line of code. Thanks to AI, anyone can type plain-language instructions into a vibe-coding app. If all goes right (and sometimes it does not), functional software comes out the other end.
To really understand something, however, you have to try it out. So as a non-coder, I gave vibe-coding a shot, which you can read about in my feature today. I won’t spoil it, but I came away impressed, and developed a better understanding of how AI is changing software engineering – but not to the extent that you might assume.
It’s unquestionable that AI is going to change many jobs; figuring out how is the tricky part. I’ve thought of software engineers as canaries in the coal mine because AI coding tools are advancing rapidly, and tech companies are early adopters.
In the summer, I spoke to Michael Serbinis, chief executive officer of Toronto tech company League, to hear his thoughts. He told me there was a raging debate among tech leaders about whether it makes more sense to hire a bunch of junior workers and equip them with AI, or forget all about interns and focus on experienced coders to fully reap the benefits of AI.
It’s a pressing question given the concern about how AI could replace entry-level workers, especially in tech. But when I talked to Serbinis again this month, the debate seemed to have subsided. He said every software engineer at the company is benefiting from AI, and League is still hiring interns.
While AI can speed up software development, there are limitations. I spoke with professionals who said vibe-coding tools start to malfunction as a project grows more complex. AI struggles to “remember” details after a while, whereas an experienced coder will have a better grasp of context. Coding isn’t just about mechanically writing script, either. The more important skill that engineers bring is devising novel ways to solve problems, experts told me. Here, humans have the edge.
Saad Sahi says he doesn’t expect vibe-coding apps to become perfect any time soon, which likely means more cleanup gigs for him and others.Amber Bracken/The Globe and Mail
So what about amateurs, like me? Vibe-coding can take us pretty far, if we’re building something simple. I made a crossword app, for example. The visual design capabilities of these tools are impressive, too. My wife, who works in design, was unsettled by just how quickly the vibe-coding platform I used could whip up professional interfaces, and the thoughtful functions it incorporated to improve the user experience.
Still, many amateur vibe-coders get frustrated and quit because they ultimately don’t have a clue what they’re doing. That’s given rise to a new job of sorts: the vibe-coding cleanup specialist, a professional hired to take a buggy AI-generated app and make it actually work. Saad Sahi, who has fixed a few vibe-coded projects for others, told me he didn’t expect these tools to become perfect any time soon. That likely means more such gigs for him and others in the future.
As for me, I’ve become a bit hooked. I’ve started vibe-coding other things for fun, such as a math game for my son, and a daily cryptic crossword clue website because, well, I’m a dork. And if I get stuck, at least I know whom to call.
ChartedCanada vs. the world
Canada beat most predictions against the U.S. dollar in 2025, By last week, the U.S. dollar had dropped nearly 5 per cent against the loonie. But compared to the world’s most popular currencies, we didn’t fare so well, according to the Bank for International Settlements. Here’s how this collection of popular currencies performed against the loonie.
Quoted
You’re relying on the stated expertise of ransomware negotiators who are negotiating with a counterparty that has no legitimacy or, frankly … no obligation to fulfill their terms of the agreement, in a legal sense, anyway.
— Charles Finlay, executive director of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University
A multibillion-dollar industry – run by people who aren’t afraid of a good fight – has cropped up to protect companies during cybersecurity attacks. Financial and cybercrime reporter Alexandra Posadzki takes a dive into the invisible necessity of ransomware negotiations.
Up nextMore files we’re following
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Spending taxes: The West is spending big on nuclear plants again – and taking taxpayers along for the ride.
In the stars: A dip too deep? Why Constellation Software is the stock to watch in 2026.
Predictions: John Heinzl’s 2026 investing forecast (he is so confident in his five predictions that he encourages you to print out this column and post it on your fridge for future reference).
Morning update
Global markets were muted as trading resumes in Canada and Europe today after the holiday break.
Wall Street futures were mixed after major U.S. markets closed down on Friday, while TSX futures pointed lower.
Overseas, the pan-European STOXX 600 climbed 0.13 per cent in morning trading. Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.11 per cent, Germany’s DAX inched up 0.08 per cent and France’s CAC 40 gained 0.23 per cent.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei closed 0.44 per cent lower, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.71 per cent.
The Canadian dollar traded at 73.02 U.S. cents.