Debian votes to allow "responsible use of generative AI"

The results of theDebian general-resolution vote on the useof large language models have been posted; the winner is choice 5:Responsible Use of Generative AI.

Debian neither endorses nor prohibits the use of generative AItools in the development, maintenance, or documentation ofsoftware, packaging, documentation, and other media publishedwithin the Debian Project. We recognize that such tools cansubstantially improve the productivity of contributors when usedresponsibly, allowing volunteers to spend more of their limitedtime on work that requires technical expertise, judgment, review,and collaboration.

The Debian Project nevertheless expects that all contributionssubmitted to Debian, regardless of how and with which tools theywere produced, satisfy the same standards of quality, correctness,maintainability, and legal compliance. The use of a generative AItool does not diminish the contributor's responsibility for thework they submit. Contributors are expected to understand, review,test, and, where appropriate, modify AI-assisted output beforeincorporating it into Debian.