UK Firefighter Builds Grocery App Using AI Chatbots

Joe Poynton, a 44-year-old UK firefighter with 20 years of service, built a mobile app that arranges grocery lists according to store aisle order. Poynton said he previously walked through stores following his list, then had to return to earlier aisles for forgotten items. He described the process as a repeated inefficiency during routine shopping trips.

Poynton started by instructing an AI chatbot to treat him as a complete beginner. He told the system he had no coding knowledge and described the goal of optimizing store navigation. He alternated between Claude and Gemini chatbots to build and debug the app.

Poynton used a Gemini Pro subscription that cost roughly $25. The app guides users through setup and generates a route that matches typical grocery store layouts.

Poynton belongs to a group of non-technical users creating custom software for everyday tasks. Business Insider reported the practice is called "vibe coding" and involves directing AI systems to write code based on plain-language instructions. This story launches the outlet's new series titled "Vibe Code Your Life.