
How a LinkedIn Exec Cranked Out an App in Weeks Using AI Magic – And Why You Should Try It Too
How a LinkedIn Exec Cranked Out an App in Weeks Using AI Magic – And Why You Should Try It Too
Okay, picture this: You’re scrolling through LinkedIn, dodging the usual barrage of humblebrags and job postings, when suddenly you stumble upon a story that makes you sit up straight. A vice president at LinkedIn – yeah, the big cheese himself – decides he’s going to build and launch a full-fledged app, and get this, he does it in just a few weeks. Not with a team of coders working overtime or some massive budget, but by harnessing the power of AI tools. It’s the kind of tale that sounds like it belongs in a sci-fi novel, but nope, it’s real life in 2025. This isn’t just some fluff piece; it’s a wake-up call for anyone who’s ever dreamed of creating something digital but got bogged down by the tech hurdles. I mean, if a busy exec can pull this off, what’s stopping the rest of us? In this post, we’ll dive into how he did it, the tools that made it possible, and some cheeky lessons you can snag for your own projects. Buckle up, because AI is changing the game, and it’s way more accessible than you think.
Who Is This LinkedIn VP and What App Did He Build?
Let’s start with the man of the hour. We’re talking about Tomer Cohen, LinkedIn’s Chief Product Officer – wait, actually, the story might vary, but in the buzz I’ve heard, it’s a VP-level exec who’s been making waves. (Quick note: If you’re fact-checking, head over to LinkedIn’s own blog or news sections for the deets, but for now, let’s roll with the inspiration.) Anyway, this guy isn’t some basement hacker; he’s knee-deep in the corporate world, juggling meetings and strategies. Yet, he carved out time to build an app called something like ‘AI Career Coach’ or whatever it was – essentially a tool that helps folks navigate job hunts with AI smarts.
What makes this story juicy is the speed. In a world where app development can drag on for months or years, this dude wrapped it up in weeks. He didn’t reinvent the wheel; he leaned on AI to handle the heavy lifting. It’s like having a super-smart sidekick that codes while you sip coffee. And honestly, it’s hilarious to think about – a LinkedIn bigwig using tech to basically hack his own productivity. If that’s not meta, I don’t know what is.
The AI Tools That Made It All Possible
Alright, let’s geek out on the tools. First up, no-code platforms like Bubble or Adalo, but amped up with AI integrations. Our VP likely used something like ChatGPT for brainstorming ideas and generating code snippets. Then there’s GitHub Copilot, which is like having an AI pair programmer whispering suggestions in your ear. He probably prototyped the UI with Figma’s AI features or similar tools that auto-generate designs based on descriptions.
Don’t forget about backend magic with tools like Replicate or Hugging Face for AI models. Imagine describing your app’s functionality in plain English, and boom, the AI spits out the necessary APIs or database schemas. It’s not perfect – there are hiccups, like debugging weird errors – but it’s a far cry from starting from scratch. I tried something similar once for a fun side project, and let me tell you, it felt like cheating in the best way possible.
To break it down, here’s a quick list of probable tools he used:
- ChatGPT or similar LLMs for ideation and content generation.
- GitHub Copilot for coding assistance.
- No-code builders like Webflow or Bubble for rapid prototyping.
- AI-powered testing tools to catch bugs early.
Step-by-Step: How He Went From Idea to Launch
It all kicks off with the spark – that ‘aha’ moment. For this VP, maybe it was spotting a gap in career advice tools while browsing LinkedIn feeds. Step one: Validate the idea. He could’ve used AI to analyze market trends, scraping data from sites like Google Trends or even LinkedIn’s own analytics (ethically, of course).
Next, prototyping. Sketch out wireframes with AI design tools – think Canva’s Magic Studio or Adobe Sensei. Then, build the MVP (Minimum Viable Product). This is where the real fun begins: Feeding prompts into AI coders to generate functions. Test, iterate, repeat. He probably looped in beta users via LinkedIn posts, gathering feedback faster than you can say ‘pivot.’
Finally, launch day. Hosting on AWS or Vercel with AI-optimized deployments. The whole process? Compressed into weeks because AI handles the grunt work. It’s like fast-forwarding through the boring parts of a movie.
Challenges He Faced (Because Nothing’s Ever That Easy)
Sure, it sounds dreamy, but let’s be real – there were bumps. AI isn’t infallible; it can hallucinate code that looks right but bombs in practice. Our VP likely spent hours tweaking prompts to get the output he wanted. Privacy concerns? Big time, especially with LinkedIn’s data-heavy world. He had to ensure the app complied with regs like GDPR.
Another hiccup: Scaling. A quick-build app might not handle a viral load without some human oversight. And let’s not forget the learning curve – even for a tech-savvy exec, mastering these tools takes trial and error. I remember fumbling with my first AI project; it was equal parts frustration and ‘eureka’ moments. Humorously, it’s like teaching a robot to dance – sometimes it steps on your toes.
Lessons for Aspiring App Builders Like You and Me
First off, start small. Don’t aim for the next TikTok; build something niche that solves a real pain point. Use AI to accelerate, not replace, your creativity. It’s a tool, not a crutch.
Second, embrace iteration. Launch imperfectly and improve based on user input. This VP’s story shows that perfection is overrated – speed wins. And hey, network like crazy; his LinkedIn clout probably helped with promotion.
Lastly, stay ethical. AI can amplify biases, so double-check your models. For more tips, check out resources like Coursera courses on AI development.
Why This Matters in the Bigger AI Picture
This isn’t just a cool anecdote; it’s a sign of the times. AI is democratizing tech creation, letting non-coders like writers or marketers build apps. Stats from Gartner suggest that by 2025, 70% of new apps will use low-code/no-code platforms, many infused with AI.
Think about it: More innovation from diverse voices. But it also raises questions – will traditional devs become obsolete? Nah, they’ll evolve. It’s exciting, scary, and full of potential. Personally, it makes me want to dust off my own app ideas.
Conclusion
Wrapping this up, the tale of this LinkedIn VP launching an app in weeks with AI tools is more than inspiration; it’s a blueprint for action. We’ve covered the who, what, how, and why, from tools to triumphs and pitfalls. If there’s one takeaway, it’s that AI is your new best friend for creative hustles. So, why not give it a shot? Grab a tool, brainstorm an idea, and who knows – your app could be the next big thing. Remember, in the fast-paced world of tech, the early bird with AI wings gets the worm. Stay curious, folks!