Linus Torvalds tells AI critics: Fork Linux or walk away

Linus Torvalds, the creator and top maintainer of the Linux kernel, has issued a definitive stance on AI in open-source development. In a recent statement, Torvalds declared that Linux is 'not one of those anti-AI projects,' and that anyone who dislikes the use of AI tools should either fork the project or walk away. He emphasized that AI is a tool, like any other, and its utility is no longer in question—'it’s clearly a useful one.' Torvalds acknowledged that AI can be painful for maintainers and can find embarrassing bugs, but argued that the correct response is to improve the tools to help maintainers, not to bury one's head in the sand. He added that he will 'very loudly ignore people who try to argue against other people from using it,' pointing out that natural intelligence is also flawed.

Torvalds framed this stance within the Linux project's ethos of technical merit over ideology. 'The kernel project has been and will continue to be about the technology,' he said, noting that social aspects are a side benefit, not the point. He called the project a 'social warrior' project, explicitly stating decisions are based on technical merit, not fear of new tools. This firm endorsement of AI tools sets a clear direction for one of the world's largest open-source projects, effectively inviting developers to integrate AI into kernel workflows and warning detractors that resistance will be ignored. It reinforces a pragmatic, results-driven approach to technology adoption in open source.