Intuit Mailchimp offers email marketing and automation services and is part of Intuit’s broader adoption of AI, including GenOS and agentic AI. While developing their AI capabilities, Mailchimp found value in vibe coding tools to meet a tight deadline. Needing to demonstrate a complex workflow quickly, Mailchimp engineers used these tools instead of traditional design software like Figma, achieving results in hours rather than days. This success triggered a wider adoption of AI tools that now accelerate their development by 40%.
Initially, developers used conversational AI for guidance, but modern AI has shifted from Q&A to performing coding tasks. This evolution means AI tools are now practical for real coding work. Mailchimp uses multiple AI coding platforms such as Cursor, Windsurf, Augment, Qodo, and GitHub Copilot, recognizing that different tools excel in different stages of development.
Governance is critical; Mailchimp ensures human oversight alongside AI. They maintain code quality with AI conducting reviews, while final approvals stay human. AI tools require strategic prompting due to their lack of domain-specific knowledge. Engineers must provide technical and business context for effective tool usage.
AI tools excel in prototyping but don’t automatically create production-ready code. Mailchimp emphasizes that prototypes don’t determine production timelines due to integration and security complexities. The tools have allowed engineers to focus on strategic tasks like system design and integration instead of repetitive coding.
For enterprises embracing AI, Mailchimp’s experience highlights treating AI tools as assistants that enhance human skills. Organizations that balance AI’s speed with human oversight will have competitive advantages. Mailchimp’s journey shows AI augments developers but necessitates human expertise for success.