Developers test whether AI coding tools improve productivity

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  Heise’s c’t uplink podcast examines whether AI-assisted programming, often called vibe coding, makes developers more productive or simply changes how they spend their time.

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  The discussion features c’t editor Peter Siering, heise+ editor Denny Gille and host Jörg Wirtgen, who have different levels of programming experience.

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  Siering has used AI in his work, including on the Linux-based antivirus project desinfec’t, while Gille says AI has helped him make faster progress as a newer programmer.

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  The participants describe several ways to use AI in development, from chatbots that suggest or generate code to agents that operate a computer and set up a development environment.

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  Siering avoids agentic AI on his own computer and uses browser-based tools or isolated hardware; Gille downloads AI-generated code and works with Visual Studio Code or a lightweight editor.

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  The editors say AI can help with routine tasks such as refactoring, but it can also produce faulty code, and they stress that users still need programming knowledge.

Who

c’t editor Peter Siering, heise+ editor Denny Gille and host Jörg Wirtgen

What

A podcast discussion and experiments about AI-assisted programming, or vibe coding

When

Published October 10, 2026

Where

Heise’s c’t uplink podcast

Why

To examine how AI affects programming productivity, code quality and the future of software development

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