The topic Linus Torvalds will “loudly ignore” anyone criticising AI code in Linux… is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
Given how useful artificial intelligence can be for programmers, the open-source community is asking itself: does AI code belong in Linux? Regardless of what others believe, Linus Torvalds himself has stated AI is a tool, and is “clearly a useful one.” And if you don’t like it, Torvalds says you can either make your own or leave.
In a message to the Linux kernel mailing list, Torvalds details how he feels about people using AI to create code for the kernel. Torvalds starts by stating that Linux is not an anti-AI project, and that if people don’t like that, “they can do the open-source thing and fork it. Or just walk away.”
Torvalds explains that, while the usefulness of an AI coding tool was a bit hit or miss a year ago, these days it’s “clearly a useful one.” He says there are plenty of questions surrounding AI usage that need to be addressed, such as how the economy will evolve; however, in terms of usefulness, it has proven itself worthy.
Torvalds does admit that AI can be a “somewhat painful tool,” given how it adds to the work maintainers need to do and spots tons of bugs. However, he knows how much help it can be, and while he won’t force anyone to adopt AI, he’s not going to go after people who use it, either.
In fact, he has some pretty scathing words for people who are against it:
And no, AI isn’t perfect. But Christ, anybody who points to the problems at AI had better be looking in the mirror and pointing at themselves at the same time. Because it’s not like natural intelligence is always all that great either.
We’re already seeing a mixed reception to AI in the Linux scene; while Ubuntu is forging ahead with AI tools, the Fedora community revolted against the idea of an ‘AI Developer Desktop’. Honestly, it feels like the discourse around AI is only getting started.