“Split it up. Or just leave.”

Given how useful artificial intelligence can be to programmers, the open source community is asking: does AI code belong on Linux? Regardless of what others believe, Linus Torvalds himself has stated that AI is a tool and is “clearly useful.” And if you don’t like it, Torvalds says you can do it yourself or leave.

Linux is not “anti-AI”, says Linus Torvalds

Although he admits that he has his problems.

In a message to Linux kernel mailing listTorvalds details how he feels about people using AI to create code for the kernel. Torvalds begins by stating that Linux is not an anti-AI project, and that if people don’t like it, “they can open source it and fork it. Or just leave.”

Torvalds explains that while the usefulness of an AI coding tool was a bit hit and miss a year ago, today it is “clearly useful.” He says there are many questions about the use of AI that need to be addressed, such as how the economy will evolve; However, in terms of usefulness, it has proven itself worthy.

Torvalds admits that AI can be a “somewhat painful tool,” as it contributes to the work that maintainers need to do and catches tons of errors. However, it knows how much of a help it can be, and while it won’t force anyone to adopt AI, it also won’t go after people who use it.

In fact, he has some pretty scathing words for people who are against it:

And no, AI is not perfect. But Christ, anyone who points out the problems with AI better look in the mirror and point it out at themselves at the same time. Because it’s not like natural intelligence is always so good.

We’re already seeing a mixed reception to AI in the Linux scene; while Ubuntu advances with artificial intelligence toolshe The Fedora community rebelled against the idea of ​​an ‘AI Developer Desktop’. Honestly, it seems like the discourse around AI is just getting started.