The way we build software is undergoing a radical transformation—and it’s happening faster than most teams realize. At the heart of this shift is a new paradigm called vibe coding, where ideas move from whiteboard to working prototype in hours, not weeks. Fueled by AI-first thinking and agentic workflows, this movement is reshaping how SaaS products are imagined, built, and delivered. But what does it really mean to lead in this new era of accelerated innovation?
In Episode 19 of Ascendle Unscripted, host Michael Cinquino is joined by Ascendle CEO Dave Todaro and Jeremy Jackson, CTO at ASG, to explore the seismic shifts AI is bringing to SaaS product development. From natural language prototyping to agentic workflows and AI-first teams, this episode offers a roadmap for leaders navigating the next wave of digital transformation.
Vibe Coding: From Idea to Interactive in Hours
Vibe Coding, a term coined by a former ChatGPT founder, describes a new generation of tools that allow developers—and even non-developers—to build functional prototypes using natural language and simple mockups. Tools like Figma Make, Firebase, and Bolt are enabling teams to generate a working application in a fraction of the time it used to take.
Dave emphasizes that while these tools are powerful, they’re not production-ready. “It’s still a prototype,” he cautions. “But the level of interactivity and capability is dramatically better than what we’ve seen before.” The key takeaway? These tools are not toys—they’re accelerators for experimentation and customer feedback.
Compressing the SDLC: From Months to Days
Traditional software development lifecycles (SDLCs) can span weeks to months. But with AI-driven prototyping, teams can now iterate in one- to two-day cycles. This shift allows for rapid experimentation and validation before features ever hit the development backlog.
However, both guests warn against the trap of over-iteration. “Just because you can change something quickly doesn’t mean you should,” warns Jeremy. Dave adds that time-boxing—like Scrum’s two-week sprints—still has value in maintaining focus and avoiding endless tweaking.
Agentic AI: Automating Intent, Not Just Tasks
The conversation shifts to Agentic AI, which moves beyond traditional rules-based automation to goal-based workflows. Instead of configuring dozens of Zapier zaps, teams can now prompt an AI agent to “onboard a new employee,” and the system will handle everything from setting up Slack to provisioning access.
This evolution democratizes automation. “Now, any functional team can build their own workflows,” says Jackson. “It’s no longer just an engineering capability.” Todaro likens it to “smartened-up workflow automation” that unlocks creativity across the organization.
AI First Teams: Culture, Capability, and Champions
What does it mean to be an AI First team? For Jeremy, it starts with mindset: “Try AI first. If it doesn’t work, then build or hire.” But not every function is ready for full AI enablement, so the focus should be on experimentation and learning.
To support this shift, ASG has introduced the role of an AI Champion—someone responsible for staying on the bleeding edge and helping others adopt new tools. Ascendle has gone a step further, forming an AI Governance Board with three pillars: technology, legal, and people & culture. Dave suggests “You want to move as fast as you can—but no faster.”
The Human Element: Why Fundamentals Still Matter
Despite the excitement around AI, both leaders stress the importance of fundamentals. Echoing the famous Jurassic Park quote: “Just because we can build something doesn’t mean we should.”
We’ve learned that customer adoption cycles are often slower than expected, especially in niche verticals. AI is a multiplier—not a replacement. Senior developers and architects are more important than ever to ensure that what’s being built is scalable, secure, and aligned with customer needs. You still need to build the right thing—and build it right.
Key Takeaways
- Vibe Coding enables rapid prototyping using natural language, accelerating early-stage product discovery.
- Agentic AI shifts automation from rules-based to goal-based, empowering non-technical teams to build workflows.
- AI First Teams require cultural change, ongoing training, and dedicated champions to drive adoption.
- Time-boxing and prioritization remain critical to avoid over-iteration and maintain delivery discipline.
- Senior talent and architecture are essential to ensure AI-generated outputs are production-ready.
- Customer-centricity must guide innovation—don’t let shiny features overshadow real user needs.
Final Thoughts: Build Smarter, Not Just Faster
AI is transforming how SaaS companies build, scale, and operate—but the fundamentals of product leadership haven’t changed. As Jeremy puts it, “You still need to maintain the yard.” Whether you’re experimenting with Vibe Coding or rolling out agentic workflows, the key is to balance speed with strategy.
Ascendle is here to help you navigate this transformation. Contact us today to learn how we partner with SaaS leaders to build AI-augmented, customer-centric products that scale.
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