Linus Torvalds says Linux not anti-AI, backs AI tool use

Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel, has firmly declared that the open-source project is not "anti-AI," asserting that artificial intelligence tools should be judged on their practical utility and not rejected on ideological grounds. Torvalds made these remarks in a discussion on the Linux kernel mailing list on July16, 2026, addressing ongoing debate within the developer community about the use of AI-assisted code review tools.

The discussion was prompted by concerns surrounding tools like Sashiko, a generative AI bot that reviews patches submitted to the kernel project. Some contributors, referencing guidelines from the Software Freedom Conservancy issued on June 18, argued for allowing developers to opt out of receiving automated AI reviews. Others countered that such tools, when effective, are meant to save maintainer time and should not be dismissed outright. Torvalds intervened to clarify the project's stance, stating he was willing to "put his foot down as the top-level maintainer" on the issue.

Torvalds emphasized that AI and large language models are tools, similar to any other development utility, and their adoption should be based on technical merit. He...