The Debian Project has published a generative AI policy allowing contributors to use such tools, while making clear that they remain fully responsible for the quality, accuracy, maintainability and legal status of anything submitted to the open-source project.
The guidance applies regardless of how a contribution was produced. Work created with assistance from a generative AI system must meet the same standards as code and other material written without one.
Contributors are expected to understand the output, check it carefully, test it and alter it where necessary before it is incorporated into Debian. The project warns that uploading or accepting generated material without meaningful human review does not fit with its established development practices.
Debian encourages contributors to say when AI assistance has been used, but stops short of making disclosure compulsory. The approach leaves responsibility with the individual submitting the work rather than treating the use of an AI tool as a substitute for technical judgement.
The policy also makes clear that AI-assisted contributions must comply with Debian’s legal requirements, including those governing software and other material included in the project.
