Apple teams up with Amazon-backed startup Anthropic to build AI-powered ‘vibe-coding’ platform

Vibe coding—once called “AI coding for non-coders”—is moving into the enterprise, and Apple is taking the lead. According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is working with Anthropic, the AI startup backed by Amazon, to bring a new coding assistant into Xcode. The tool will use Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet model to write, edit, and test code on behalf of programmers, shifting more of the heavy lifting to AI.

The collaboration signals Apple’s growing interest in integrating outside AI talent into its software products. While the tech giant is known for building much of its ecosystem internally, it’s now opening the door to strategic partnerships as competition heats up.

“Apple Inc. is teaming up with startup Anthropic PBC on a new “vibe-coding” software platform that will use artificial intelligence to write, edit, and test code on behalf of programmers,” Bloomberg reported.

The news comes just two weeks after reports that OpenAI was in talks to acquire AI coding assistant startup Windsurf for $3 billion.

What Exactly Is Vibe Coding?

Vibe coding is a method where developers describe what they want, and AI generates the code. It’s catching on quickly as tech firms look to streamline software development and reduce engineering bottlenecks.

The space is currently led by nimble AI startups like Windsurf, Replit, Cursor, Bolt, and Lovable. These tools let developers build apps using natural language, skipping much of the traditional coding process. While big tech firms are catching on, startups are still driving the innovation.

Apple and Anthropic Want AI To Write Code for You

Now, Apple is joining that race by teaming up with Anthropic, the Amazon-backed AI startup behind Claude, to bring vibe coding capabilities into its flagship developer tool, Xcode.

“The system is a new version of Xcode, Apple’s programming software, that will integrate Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet model, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Apple will roll out the software internally and hasn’t yet decided whether to launch it publicly, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the initiative hasn’t been announced.”

Apple’s new AI coding assistant builds on its existing efforts. The company had previously announced a tool called Swift Assist, which was supposed to land in 2024. That never materialized. Internal concerns about development slowdowns may have played a role, Bloomberg said.

This time, Apple appears to be testing things in-house first before deciding whether to release the new tool publicly. Anthropic declined to comment, and Apple hasn’t responded to requests.

The Claude Sonnet model powering the assistant represents a newer approach to programming—AI agents generate code based on intent rather than syntax. It reflects a broader shift toward AI-assisted development, where coders focus more on describing what they want rather than typing every line themselves.

Anthropic has been gaining traction in this space. Its Claude chatbot series—especially the Sonnet model—has drawn comparisons to OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Meta’s Llama 3. Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers, Anthropic has positioned itself as a strong alternative by focusing on steerable and interpretable AI systems.

Apple’s partnership arrives as AI coding assistants attract big attention across the industry. Last month, Bloomberg reported that OpenAI was in talks to acquire Windsurf, a coding tool startup, for around $3 billion. Meanwhile, Apple has been outfitting its devices with stronger chips built to handle AI processes, including tighter integrations with tools like ChatGPT.

Whether Apple eventually ships the new vibe coding assistant to the public or keeps it behind closed doors, one thing is clear: the future of software development is being shaped by machines that can code—and the companies that train them.

Based in San Francisco, Anthropic has gained recognition for its advancements in generative AI, emerging as a strong competitor to industry leaders like OpenAI. Its Claude chatbot has been gaining momentum, demonstrating impressive capabilities across various use cases.

Anthropic was founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives Dario Amodei (CEO), Daniela Amodei, Jack Clark, Sam McCandlish, and Tom Brown. Driven by the transformative potential of generative AI, Dario and Daniela Amodei set out to create “large-scale AI systems that are steerable, interpretable, and robust.” Before launching Anthropic, Daniela Amodei served as OpenAI’s vice president of safety and policy.