Linus Torvalds says AI has made ‘huge’ Linux kernel updates the new normal
Linux creator Linus Torvalds says the kernel project has entered a "new normal" of unusually large updates, which he attributes largely to the growing role of AI tools in reviewing and fixing code. In his weekly release-candidate update for the upcoming Linux 7.2, he noted that despite the sheer volume of changes, he isn't especially worried, as nothing appears seriously risky and most fixes are small and scattered across drivers, filesystems and core networking code.
The seventh release candidate is unusually large, following on from a similarly outsized sixth candidate that Torvalds called the biggest by commit count in years. He highlighted a handful of more significant changes, including s390/zcrypt fixes, the return of btrfs fixup worker infrastructure, and netfilter ipset fixes, but said the bulk consists of minor tweaks spread across the kernel. Torvalds, who has previously criticised poor-quality AI-generated contributions and a flood of duplicate AI bug reports while insisting Linux is not "anti-AI", says the size of rc7 won't delay Linux 7.2, which he expects to ship next weekend with improvements including better GPU and CPU scheduling.
In short
- Torvalds says AI-driven reviews are making kernel updates routinely huge
- Despite the bulk, rc7 isn't considered risky or worrying
- Linux 7.2 still expected to launch next weekend as planned
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
AI tools have demonstrably improved the efficiency of code review and bug-fixing in Linux kernel development, as evidenced by larger update cycles that haven't introduced security issues. Linus Torvalds, whose judgement on kernel quality is trusted industry-wide, is reassured by the safety profile of these changes. The practical result—a functioning kernel shipping on schedule with no serious risks—demonstrates that this 'new normal' is working as intended and represents a legitimate productivity gain.
The case against
The Linux kernel is critical global infrastructure, and large volumes of changes create compounded systemic risks that aren't fully understood. AI-generated code can lack the strategic understanding and institutional knowledge that human engineers provide, particularly regarding security and long-term maintainability. Given Torvalds's own documented concerns about poor-quality AI contributions, rapid automation of kernel development risks masking subtle issues that emerge only in real-world conditions.
Explained simply
Linux is the core software that manages a computer’s hardware and lets other programs run. It is developed openly by contributors around the world, and is used in everything from servers and phones to personal computers.
Linus Torvalds created Linux and continues to oversee changes to its kernel, the part that coordinates hardware and system resources. Before a new kernel version is released, it goes through test versions called release candidates, where developers check changes and fix problems.
AI tools are increasingly being used to help write, review and debug code, prompting debate about the quality and volume of contributions. The size of a kernel update matters because changes must be checked for problems that could affect systems relying on Linux.
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