Debian voted to allow developers to use AI tools in their contributions to the Linux distribution, including development, maintenance, and documentation. The new AI policy states it "neither endorses nor prohibits the use of generative AI tools" and acknowledges that responsible AI use can improve developer productivity.
While contributors won't be required to disclose AI use, they remain fully responsible for the quality, correctness, maintainability, and legal compliance of all submissions regardless of how they were produced. The policy notes that contributors must understand, review, test, and modify AI-assisted output before incorporating it into Debian.
Some contributors have expressed dissatisfaction with the policy, with at least one announcing plans to quit. Earlier this year, Ubuntu developer Canonical faced similar backlash over its own AI stance. Relatedly, Linus Torvalds has stated that Linux is "not one of those anti-AI projects."