United CEO Scott Kirby’s AI ‘Epiphany’: From Vibe-Coding a Betting Tool to Rethinking Airline Tech

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby revealed he had an ‘epiphany’ about AI’s potential after using vibe-coding to build a sports betting tool during a gym session. Kirby, who leads one of the world’s largest carriers, said the hands-on experience with an AI tutor and generative coding tools changed how he views the technology’s role across the airline industry. The moment came as he realized AI could dramatically speed up software development and problem-solving, even for non-engineers. Kirby’s personal experiment highlights a broader push by major companies to embed AI into operations, from customer service to flight planning. United has been investing in tech modernization, and the CEO’s direct engagement signals executive-level urgency to adopt AI tools. While the betting tool itself is a side project, Kirby said the lesson applies to how United can streamline internal processes and empower employees. The takeaway: if a CEO can vibe-code a working app in a gym, the barrier to AI-driven innovation is lower than many executives assume.