At London Tech Week 2025, one thing was made abundantly clear: it’s never been easier to build and access cutting-edge software.
AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot, all-in-one platforms like Replit, and no-code tools such as Bubble, Glide, and Superblocks are democratising development. Launching a polished prototype can now take hours, not weeks.
This has led many to the rise of the term “vibe-coding”, which many mistakenly interpret as “using AI to help produce code”. In reality, it refers to generating code with AI without understanding or reviewing the output, trusting the vibe, not the logic .
Our conversations with founders, investors, and product leaders, repeatedly lead to the same question:
“If AI can build an app on its own, why are so many of these ‘AI-native’ apps failing to scale?”
The answer: the tools have improved, but the fundamentals of digital architecture and software development have not changed. Whilst these tools can accelerate growth, they rely on skilled developers to execute effectively. It is true, these tools tease a new realm of opportunities on the horizon – but how do we get there?
From Prototype to Production Is a Giant Leap
We’re seeing early-stage startups build internal tools using Glide + Airtable, replacing spreadsheets with sleek UIs. Others are chaining together OpenAI + Zapier + Slack to automate basic workflows. It’s impressive, and has its uses.
But, when it is time to:
- Handle Sensitive Data
- Support High Traffic
- Ensure Uptime
- Pass Security Audits
- Integrate With Existing Infrastructure
It is no longer just about the code. It is about the engineering.
And that is exactly why many of these tools fall short. They don’t come with built-in architecture, safeguards, observability, or accountability. So how do we know where to turn when complications arise?
How Great Developers Operate
Whilst impressive tools like Replit Ghostwriter and Amazon Bedrock have shown us how they can generate or deploy code quickly, it is the skilled developers who:
- Design resilient systems that scale with real-world traffic and unpredictability
- Chain and orchestrate APIs (e.g., OpenAI, AWS Comprehend, Pinecone) into secure, useful flows
- Build for change, writing modular code that can evolve with changing requirements
- Implement security and observability from day one – not as an afterthought
- Understand the context: business logic, compliance, ethical constraints, and edge cases
Sure, AI can autocomplete a function. But the developers know whether that function belongs there in the first place and how it might impact the entire digital structure.
“You can build a demo with Copilot. But when you go to raise Series A, people look for structured, maintainable code and long-term architecture“
Thomas Dohmke, CEO, Github
Access To Tools Is No Longer The Differentiator. Execution Is.
Take the case of AI-powered pricing calculators. Startups are using tools like Bolt or Retool to mock up dashboards. But who ensures those calculations are:
- Pulling data from the correct systems?
- Validated and compliant with pricing policy?
- Scalable enough to serve thousands of customers?
Not the tool; but the developer.
It’s the same story with Replit’s AI Agents or Glide’s AI Actions. Automation is great, it is the humans who are needed to decide what should be automated, how to recover from failures, and how to scale responsibly. Without human oversight, there is no trust, accountability or reliability.
Where Mobile Wave Solutions Fits In
At Mobile Wave Solutions, we work with businesses that want to move fast – either by augmenting their teams or providing us with the resources to take full ownership of complex projects.
Our developers:
- Translate business goals into production-ready systems
- Integrate multiple services and APIs with care, assessing where AI can safely enhance existing architecture
- Design for scale, governance, and long-term maintainability
- Bring judgment and accountability, things no assistant or no-code UI can replicate
We don’t just “use AI”. We make it work for you – safely, securely and sustainably.
Read our Developer Q&A with one of our Senior Developers to find out more
Where Do We Go From Here?
In 2025, having access to powerful tools is not a competitive advantage. Everyone has them.
You win by executing better, working with people who know how to design, build, and scale real software products.
AI can assist, Copilot can autocomplete, Replit can help you experiment.
But building your bespoke vision still takes developers.
Need developers who can turn AI tools into business impact?
Let’s talk.
