Do Son 
The Debian project recently held a vote on its generative AI usage policy. After deliberation and a formal ballot, the “Responsible Use of Generative AI” option now applicable to the Debian project emerged victorious. This means Debian will not impose a blanket ban on developers using generative AI to take part in the project.
Neither Encouraged Nor Forbidden
The winning fifth option (Choice 5) states plainly that the Debian project neither endorses nor recommends generative AI tools, yet does not prohibit their use either. According to the adopted resolution text, AI may be employed in software development, package maintenance, documentation, and other Debian project work. Whatever the tool, however, submitted contributions must meet the same standards of quality, correctness, maintainability, and legal compliance.
AI Generation Does Not Shift Responsibility
The heart of the new policy is not that developers may directly copy AI output. Rather, it firmly leaves responsibility with the submitter. After using AI to help generate code or documentation, a contributor must be able to understand, review, and test the material, and where necessary revise it themselves. Blindly accepting AI output and uploading it directly is inconsistent with Debian’s existing development practices.
At the same time, AI receives no special exemption. The existing DFSG, copyright, licensing, and software-freedom requirements continue to apply, and developers must consider for themselves the provenance and potential copyright implications of AI output. The Debian project encourages contributors to disclose their use of AI assistance, but does not currently require a declaration that content was AI-generated.
Leaking Sensitive Information to Cloud AI Is Prohibited
The new policy also places particular emphasis on data security. Debian contributors must not casually submit non-public discussions, personal information, undisclosed security vulnerabilities, passwords, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive project material to third-party AI services.
Furthermore, using AI for large-scale bug filing, bulk patch submission, or the automated modification of many packages still requires prior discussion with the community and the reaching of consensus. Any such automated process must likewise be overseen by a specific individual who bears the corresponding responsibility.
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