Meta PM: AI Vibe Coding Gives Non-Technical Workers 'Superpowers'

Zevi Arnovitz, a product manager at Meta, is transforming how non-technical professionals approach their work through AI-powered vibe coding tools. In a recent episode of “Lenny’s Podcast,” Arnovitz revealed that discovering AI coding tools in mid-2024 was a career-defining moment, despite having no technical background and finding traditional code “terrifying.”

Arnovitz, who joined Meta in September after three years at website-building company Wix, has completely rebuilt his workflow around artificial intelligence. He now uses vibe coding tools like Cursor alongside models from Anthropic and Google to explore product ideas, generate build plans, execute code, review implementations, and update documentation. This technological shift has fundamentally reshaped his role from a traditional coordinator between engineering and design teams to a product owner with execution capabilities.

“Understanding how to use AI intentionally is one of the biggest game changers that will make you much better as a PM,” Arnovitz explained, referring to product management. He believes this transformation is just the beginning: “Everyone’s going to become a builder. We’re going to see that a lot in the next coming years.”

However, Arnovitz acknowledges important limitations. He doesn’t advocate for product managers shipping complex infrastructure changes or major projects. Instead, AI enables PMs to tackle smaller UI projects by building features and then handing code to developers for final review and completion.

This trend extends beyond Meta. Figma CEO Dylan Field observed in October that AI tools are pushing workers across disciplines to experiment with building products directly. “We’re seeing more designers, engineers, product managers, researchers, all these different folks that are involved in the product development process dip their toe into the other roles,” Field noted.

The shift is also influencing corporate training programs. LinkedIn replaced its associate product manager program with an associate product builder track in January, emphasizing cross-functional skills. Former LinkedIn Chief Product Officer Tomer Cohen explained the company would “teach them how to code, design, and PM at LinkedIn,” focusing on training people “who can flex across” different roles.

As AI tools continue improving, Arnovitz predicts titles and responsibilities will “collapse,” and product managers should treat vibe coding as a “collaborative learning opportunity” with engineering teams.

Key Quotes

Understanding how to use AI intentionally is one of the biggest game changers that will make you much better as a PM.

Zevi Arnovitz, Meta product manager, emphasized how AI coding tools have transformed product management capabilities, even for those without technical backgrounds.

Everyone’s going to become a builder. We’re going to see that a lot in the next coming years.

Arnovitz predicted a fundamental shift in workplace roles where AI tools enable non-technical professionals to execute on ideas directly rather than just coordinate between teams.

We’re all product builders, and some of us are specialized in our particular area.

Figma CEO Dylan Field described how AI is blurring traditional role boundaries, allowing designers, engineers, and product managers to contribute across disciplines.

We’re going to teach them how to code, design, and PM at LinkedIn.

Former LinkedIn Chief Product Officer Tomer Cohen explained the company’s new associate product builder program, reflecting how major tech companies are adapting training to emphasize cross-functional AI-enabled skills.

Our Take

The vibe coding phenomenon represents a critical inflection point in AI’s practical impact on knowledge work. What’s particularly significant is that this isn’t happening at startups or AI-native companies—it’s occurring at Meta, LinkedIn, and Figma, suggesting mainstream adoption. Arnovitz’s transformation from code-phobic PM to builder illustrates AI’s potential to unlock latent capabilities rather than replace workers. However, the emphasis on “smaller UI projects” and developer review reveals current limitations. We’re not yet at full autonomy, but rather AI-assisted augmentation. The real story is organizational: as roles collapse and blur, companies must rethink team structures, compensation, and career paths. The question isn’t whether AI will change work—it’s whether organizations can adapt their cultures and processes fast enough to capitalize on these new capabilities.

Why This Matters

This story highlights a fundamental transformation in how AI is reshaping workplace roles and skills. The emergence of vibe coding tools represents more than just new software—it’s democratizing technical capabilities that were previously gatekept by years of programming education. For the AI industry, this validates the promise that generative AI can genuinely augment human capabilities rather than simply automate tasks.

The implications are profound for businesses and workers alike. Companies like Meta, LinkedIn, and Figma are already adapting their organizational structures and training programs to accommodate this shift. Product managers becoming builders suggests we’re moving toward more fluid, cross-functional teams where traditional role boundaries blur. This could accelerate product development cycles and reduce dependencies between teams.

For workers, this presents both opportunity and urgency. Those who embrace AI tools early gain competitive advantages, while those who resist risk obsolescence. The trend also raises questions about the future value of specialized technical skills when AI can bridge knowledge gaps. As Arnovitz’s experience shows, the barrier to entry for building digital products is lowering dramatically, potentially reshaping career paths across the technology sector.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-product-manager-vibe-coding-superpowers-non-technical-builder-2026-1