Not long ago, developing a functional application required specialized programming knowledge and lines of complex code. Today, a new wave of artificial intelligence startups is promising to turn anyone with a simple idea into an app creator.
To put this concept to the test, I experimented with Kineto, a spin-off from the renowned software development toolmaker JetBrains. Kineto operates entirely within a web browser, requiring zero downloads or installations. The final products are also browser-based and easily distributed by sharing a simple web link, bypassing app stores and local device security hurdles.
My goal was to build three distinct tools: a French vocabulary flashcard system with editable word lists, a dynamic typing tutor to score accuracy and speed, and a utility to scan my personal website for broken links. The creation process began with a straightforward text description and a color scheme selection. Then, the AI went to work.
However, much like traditional software engineering, AI generation rarely yields a flawless product on the first try. The process demands a cycle of testing, identifying bugs, and refining prompts. For instance, the first two iterations of my typing tutor completely failed to register keyboard strokes. Correcting these issues meant returning to the prompt interface to describe the malfunction so Kineto could generate a patched version.
While the simpler apps—the vocabulary trainer and the typing tutor—came together intuitively after a few revisions, the broken link checker proved surprisingly difficult. It required intense troubleshooting and even prompt-engineering assistance from Kineto’s support team to function correctly.
Behind the scenes, Kineto orchestrates a team of specialized AI agents, each assigned to distinct roles like web searching, image generation, and beta testing. According to Kineto founder Andrew Zakonov, producing a functional app currently takes an hour or two and roughly ten iterations.
"I'm sure that soon enough we'll get to the point where it's half an hour to make an app for your kids," Zakonov notes, though he admits this will require further technological breakthroughs.
Kineto is specifically eyeing digital content creators, offering premium tiers with expanded storage and AI capabilities to help influencers build and share interactive courses. "I believe that interactive apps are the next mainstream medium," Zakonov says.
But are professional developers worried about this DIY software revolution?
Jules Goldberg, founder of Reviva Softworks and creator of the highly successful SnoreLab app, views the technology as a double-edged sword. While he praises the thrill of democratized creativity, he is deeply skeptical that everyday users will embrace DIY app creation en masse.
"Humans are a bit lazy. It will always be less effort to download someone else's work," Goldberg argues.
He also questions the commercial viability of simple, AI-generated applications. If basic tools like habit trackers or quizzes can be spun up with a single click, their inherent market value plummets. Furthermore, Goldberg doesn't view AI app builders as a threat to established software companies. Commercial success, he insists, relies on underlying depth, extensive research, and hefty marketing budgets—elements that a quick AI prompt cannot replicate.
Despite the skepticism from industry veterans, Zakonov remains steadfast in his vision for a barrier-free digital future. "Pretty much everyone could be a creator someday if we remove the barriers and if we make this process easy, fun and interactive."