Linus Torvalds Supports AI Tools in Linux Development, Rejects Anti-AI Stance

Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, has clarified his position on artificial intelligence in open-source development. He stated he has no objection to contributors using AI tools for Linux. Torvalds emphasized that those who disagree with this approach can choose to leave the project.

Key Highlights

• Linus Torvalds allows AI tools for Linux contributions and rejects anti-AI positions.
• Linux project decisions are based on technical merit and not fear of new tools.
• AI-assisted bug reports and code reviews have improved according to senior maintainers.

Torvalds Affirms AI Use in Linux

On the official Linux kernel mailing list, Torvalds addressed concerns about AI-generated code. He declared, “Linux is not one of those anti-AI projects.” Torvalds explained that if anyone objects to AI tools, they can fork the project or walk away. This statement reinforces Linux’s open-source nature, where anyone can contribute or create their own version.

Linux is managed by paid developers from major companies such as Google, Intel, and IBM. It also relies on a large community of independent volunteers. The rise of AI coding tools, including Claude Code and Codex, has led many developers to use AI for writing code, a practice sometimes called “vibe coding.”

Changing Views on AI Tools

Torvalds’s stance on AI has evolved over time. In October 2024, he described 90 percent of AI as “marketing hype” and said he would “basically ignore it.” He predicted that the situation would change within five years. Now, less than two years later, he considers AI tools to be like any other tool available to developers. He noted that this shift may not have been clear a year ago but is now “no longer in question.” Torvalds added, “Anybody who doubts that clearly hasn’t actually used it.”

Despite his acceptance, Torvalds recognizes that AI-generated code can present challenges. He acknowledged that AI can be a “somewhat painful tool, both for maintainer workloads and just from an ‘it keeps finding embarrassing bugs’ standpoint.” However, he argued that ignoring AI is not a solution. “The solution is not to put your head in the sand and sing ‘La La La, I can’t hear you’ at the top of your voice like some people seem to do,” he wrote.

Technical Merit Over Fear

Torvalds stressed that the Linux project bases its decisions on technical merit, not fear of new tools. He stated, “We’re not forcing anybody to use it, but I will very loudly ignore people who try to argue against other people from using it.”

Earlier this year, Torvalds compared the impact of AI on programming to the introduction of compilers. He called AI “a great tool” but expressed frustration with those who want AI to handle all coding. “When I see people saying, 'hey, 99 percent of our code is written by AI,' I literally get angry,” he said.

Senior Linux maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman also commented on AI’s role. He noted that AI-assisted bug reports and code reviews have improved significantly. Open-source projects now receive AI-generated reports that are “good” and “real.”

Other voices in the programming community remain skeptical. C++ creator Bjarne Stroustrup has said that AI-generated code is often poor, leading some experienced developers to retire rather than deal with it.