Bartlett’s media company FlightStory looks for vibe coding as a key skill when hiring candidates. Isaac Martin, director of innovation at FlightStory, said he prioritizes hiring people who can vibe code, or develop programs using AI agents, regardless of their technical backgrounds.

Martin said his approach to hiring has changed from focusing on developers to prioritizing candidates experienced in vibe coding across various areas of the industry. “Previously, there would’ve been a big focus on developers, as that’s the typical sort of person you would expect to be within the innovation team.”

He said FlightStory is now looking for candidates who have experience in the vibe coding space across different parts of the industry, rather than limiting hiring to traditional developer roles.

Vibe coding uses AI tools to write code without requiring knowledge of specific programming languages. It is an emerging way for non-technical people to build software.

Some people are turning vibe coding into a full-time job, while others are using it to build their own apps and start new companies.

Martin said vibe coding allows people to use their previous experience and knowledge to figure out where new value can be created.

In hiring, Steven Bartlett screens candidates with a 35-question Culture Test to assess cultural alignment. Bartlett also emphasizes critical thinking and attitude over traditional skills in hiring.

Christiana Brenton, FlightStory’s chief revenue officer and co-founder, described questions used to assess candidates. “Do you have a bias for action? Are you deeply curious? Are you completely agile versus resistance to change?”