In September, AI generated code has made up 17.25% of all Linux Kernel patches
tosh
32 points
78 comments
September 21, 2026
Related Discussions
Found 5 related stories in 106.9ms across 7,302 title embeddings via pgvector HNSW
- Linus Torvalds says AI has made Linux kernel updates the new normal mdp2021 · 11 pts · August 10, 2026 · 66% similar
- Linus Torvalds says AI has made 'huge' Linux kernel updates the new normal pseudolus · 12 pts · August 11, 2026 · 66% similar
- AI in Linux surprisetalk · 50 pts · July 29, 2026 · 57% similar
- Show HN: How much of Hacker News is about AI? beekthos · 69 pts · August 26, 2026 · 52% similar
- 80% of developers find AI coding more addictive than helpful theanonymousone · 13 pts · August 22, 2026 · 52% similar
Discussion Highlights (9 comments)
AyanamiKaine
I really don't know what to feel about AI generated code. It's clear that it improves velocity dramatically in code output. It has some value to it. But what is the cost? While I code without the help of AI, sometimes I feel like I am being left behind. Ohh you wrote only 400 lines today? I shipped a whole app while being in the gym... hits hard.
Ampersander
The pressure to use LLMs is high in the companies that sell shovels in this gold rush. It would look bad if they did not use them. Linux developers work at those companies.
unified101
Seems low. 80% people are manually typing in things? In my circle it's close to 0% code written manually. Do linux devs live in a completely different microcosm?
ur-whale
> In September, AI generated code has made up 17.25% of all Linux Kernel patches I'm curious ... how would they even know?
jan_m_savage
Huh. Wait until it blows. And I say this as someone who uses AI (for fun) and to check things I may havbe overlooked. There's a place and time for everything. Using AI where you shouldn't is gonna backfire, big time. Also, just please show me ONE single app/product that has been generated 100% by AI--that works and competes with human-written ones? I'll be waiting, right here.
rvz
So the Linux kernel has now just become by definition "slop"? I mean, there is a definition here which says it is now "tainted". [0] Does that mean we should stop using it? [0] https://codeberg.org/ethical-foss/open-slopware
juancn
I still don't get how are they dealing with copyright here. Looks like the ostrich algorithm (hide your head in the sand and pretend nothing happens). Those patches are not copyrightable unless human made. There's a reason why Oracle doesn't accept AI contributions to Java.
tosti
Did Bryan Lunduke measure incoming patches or actual merged patches? Are the AI patches bigger on average? Who or what says the patch was made with AI in the fitst place?
VCFundedGenYer
This is awful. Linus Torvalds really surrendered the kernel to AI slop. He was warned, and he made nasty comments to those who called him out, but he owns this mess now.