Non-Technical ‘Vibe Coder’ Wins Multiple Hackathons Using AI Assistance

Rene Turcios, a 29-year-old from San Francisco, has taken the hackathon scene by storm, despite not knowing how to code. Since 2023, Turcios has attended over 200 hackathons, winning cash prizes, software credits, and increasing recognition. His approach, now referred to as ‘vibe coding,’ involves using AI tools like ChatGPT to handle the technical coding aspects of his projects, while he focuses on the creative direction. At his first hackathon, he used AI to build a program that could convert songs into lo-fi versions without writing a single line of code. Despite initial skepticism from experienced engineers, Turcios’s success has sparked a new conversation about the role of AI in hackathons and software development. He’s even begun offering workshops to teach both non-technical groups and engineers how to use AI for coding. While some argue that this approach undermines the value of coding skills, Turcios remains unbothered, as his ability to produce results continues to win over businesses and competitors alike.