Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, has a blunt message for critics of artificial intelligence: if you don't like it, you're free to go elsewhere. Speaking at a recent event, Torvalds dismissed the notion that AI is a threat to open-source development or to society at large, arguing that those who oppose the technology should simply "fork off" and work on their own projects.
Torvalds defends AI's role in open source
Torvalds acknowledged that AI tools like GitHub Copilot and large language models have sparked debate within the developer community, with some arguing that they produce low-quality code or undermine the collaborative spirit of open source. But he called such criticism misguided, noting that AI is already being used to automate repetitive tasks and help developers write better code faster. "If you don't like it, don't use it," he said. "But don't try to stop others from using it."
The Linux founder also pushed back against the idea that AI will lead to mass unemployment among programmers. He compared the current AI boom to the rise of high-level programming languages, which many initially feared would make low-level coding obsolete. Instead, those languages expanded the pool of developers and created new opportunities. Torvalds predicted a similar outcome for AI, with the technology augmenting rather than replacing human creativity.
A call for pragmatism over panic
Torvalds' comments come amid growing anxiety about AI's impact on everything from jobs to democracy. Governments around the world are scrambling to regulate the technology, while some tech leaders have called for a pause on advanced AI development. But Torvalds urged the open-source community to focus on practical benefits rather than hypothetical risks. He pointed out that Linux itself has thrived by embracing new tools and methods, and that AI is just the latest evolution.
"The whole point of open source is that you have the freedom to choose," Torvalds said. "If you think AI is a disaster, you can fork the kernel and remove all AI-related code. Nobody is stopping you. But don't expect the rest of us to wait around while you figure out your Luddite manifesto." His remarks were met with applause from the audience, though some in the broader developer community remain skeptical about the pace of AI adoption.