That's the promise, misleading for some, of "vibe coding," the latest Silicon Valley catchphrase for an advance in generative AI that some say makes computer programming as simple as chatting online.

Being a software programmer is one of the best jobs these days for your pocketbook, but it can be incredibly bad for your mental health.

The first place to look is the industry that birthed the technology. AI seems set to do to computer programming—and possibly other kinds of so-called knowledge work—what automation has done ...