The Linux kernel project has eliminated the requirement to mark code contributions assisted by AI tools. Commits no longer need to include an "Assisted-by" tag, a change that reflects shifting attitudes toward AI use in open-source development.
Linus Torvalds backs the decision, arguing that contributors must understand the code they submit, regardless of which tools they use to write it. The underlying principle remains: competence and comprehension matter more than the method.
Jeff Layton, a kernel developer at Red Hat, pointed out practical reasons for dropping the requirement. He noted that the marking was inconsistently applied across contributions, functioned as free advertising for AI companies, and lacked clear purpose. Without a shared understanding of why the tag existed, enforcing it became difficult.
The shift signals that the kernel project sees AI assistance as a neutral development tool rather than something requiring special annotation. Developers can use or skip AI tools based on their workflow—what counts is delivering solid, reviewable code.