The Debian project is engaging in a debate and vote on whether large language model (LLM) tools may be used in the development of Debian, its distribution-specific code, and the project’s website. The general resolution is currently being discussed leading into a vote on the subject.
The choices kinda look like they would both either explicitly or in effect disallow practically all LLMs. Nice.
Though that doesn’t answer the question about code analysis tools that the kernel devs recentently talked about (with Linus Torvalds being firmly in favor of using them). They aren’t generative AI, but are AI nonetheless and unless Debian already talked about it elsewhere it does need explicit policy IMO.
Non-generative AI is just complicated stats… There’s no reason not to use ML or whatever if you can find a use for it (e.g. bug hunting, optimisation).
Generative AI is that plus random noise, copyright theft, environmental destruction, and fascism… It should be off the cards for Debian
From what I see so far, there is a loophole. LLMs may not be used to generate source packages but if Claude generates a script that then does the work and the script stays private and isn’t official Debian software, it’s fine.
This may be an oversight or deliberate. No idea.