ProgrammingJul 16, 2026, 10:11 AM

Linus Torvalds on LLM usage in kernel development

30-second summary

Linux creator Linus Torvalds expressed skepticism about using Large Language Models for kernel development, noting that AI-generated code often hallucinates and creates more work for maintainers.

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Linus Torvalds on LLM usage in kernel development
Key takeaways
  • Torvalds views current LLMs as prone to hallucinations that produce incorrect code.
  • Submitting AI-generated patches without thorough review wastes maintainers' time.
  • The Linux kernel project prioritizes code correctness over the tool used to create it.
  • AI tools are currently considered more of a hindrance than a help for kernel development.
Full story

In a recent discussion on the Linux kernel mailing list, creator Linus Torvalds addressed the growing trend of submitting patches generated by artificial intelligence. He acknowledged that while AI tools are becoming prevalent, their current output is often unreliable and requires significant scrutiny.

Torvalds highlighted that LLMs tend to hallucinate details, leading to code that looks plausible but is functionally incorrect. He noted that reviewing such submissions wastes maintainers' time because the underlying logic is frequently flawed, making the tools more of a nuisance than a help.

The stance clarifies the project's position on automated contributions. While the source of code is not the primary factor, the burden of verification falls on submitters. Torvalds implied that AI tools are not yet mature enough to replace human oversight in critical systems programming.

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Why this matters
Developers

Signals that AI coding assistants require heavy verification before use in critical systems.

Businesses

Highlights the risks of relying on AI for infrastructure code without rigorous testing.

Everyone

Shows that top tech leaders remain unconvinced of AI's reliability for complex tasks.

Glossary
Hallucinations
When an AI generates plausible but factually incorrect or nonsensical information.
Sources · 1
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