I can't properly check now, but think you didn't sign your email. Kurt
On August 12, 2026 1:50:31 AM GMT+08:00, Matthias Geiger <[email protected]> wrote: >On Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:10, Gard Spreemann <[email protected]> wrote: >> Hello all, >> >> Some of us feel that we lack a middle of the road option that >> differentiates between the output of LLMs entering into Debian, and a >> Debian contributor consuming the output of LLMs to assist them in work >> on Debian. I therefore submit the following ballot option. >> >> I realize that there is a large number of options already, but we do >> have a voting system that is unperturbed by that. While a large number >> of options might mean extra work for voters, I on balance believe that >> it is more important that all views are reflected. >> >> Thanks to all those who participated in the discussions and gave >> feedback, and to those who worked on other attempts at middle of the >> road options reflecting the abovementioned distinction. >> >> NB: The proposal uses the term "generative AI" to mean what some other >> proposals call "LLMs" or just "AI". Several people suggested that I >> change the term, and while I agree that it's quite suboptimal, I also >> don't think those two other alternatives are much better. Yet other, >> shall we say more colorful, alternatives can be nice, but run the risk >> of not conveying the same meaning to everyone. For better or worse, the >> term as it stands is at least *understood*. If the ballot option does >> get enough seconds, I would not object to changing the term to another >> standard term as part of a minor editorial change. >> >> >> Best, >> Gard >> >> >> ----- BEGIN BALLOT OPTION ----- >> >> >> # Debian is created by humans >> >> >> ## Preamble >> >> This proposal aims to ensure that contributions directly to Debian are >> created by humans, while at the same time avoiding restrictions on the >> tools those humans may choose to use when contributing. >> >> The proposal deals with *direct* contributions to Debian, including, but >> not limited to: >> >> * Debian packaging >> * Submissions (messages, bug reports, patches, etc.) to the BTS, Salsa, >> mailing lists and other Debian platforms * Debian project software >> * Debian infrastructure >> * Debian web resources >> * Documentation and translation added as part of contributing to Debian >> * Official communication from Debian >> >> The proposal does not cover *indirect* contributions, i.e. those >> originating from upstream works. >> >> Generative AI is characterized by producing output of a nature that >> would ordinarily be produced and consumed by humans. The proposal seeks >> to restrict this output itself from entering Debian (except possibly >> indirectly, from upstream). It does not seek to restrict Debian >> contributors from consuming such output as part of contributing to >> Debian. >> >> >> ## Rationale >> >> Debian has a well-earned reputation for stability. This stability is >> crucial to its position in the free software ecosystem. It is our belief >> that a significant part of this stability comes from Debian contributors >> having mutual understanding, trust and respect for each others' work and >> precious time. Generative AI tends to come with practical, legal, >> ethical or ecological concerns that warrant care or extra work that >> often ends up being borne by people other than those wielding the AI. We >> believe that this asymmetry between contributors leveraging generative >> AI to produce material, and those humans who bear that extra care and >> work, will erode the project's mutual understanding, trust and respect. >> >> While Debian has a long-standing tradition of strict rules for what goes >> into the distribution, it does not typically dictate what tools people >> use when contributing to the project. With this principle in mind, the >> proposal does not affect the use of generative AI as an assisitive tool >> to explore, research, analyze, critique, etc., when contributing. The >> responsibilities that come with using the output of an AI in such a role >> is then not transferred onto the wider project in the same problematic >> way as when the output itself is the contribution. >> >> >> ## Proposal >> >> In order to safeguard the project's mutual understanding, trust and >> respect, we disallow the output of generative AI as direct contributions >> to Debian. >> >> Those who use such tools assistively in their work are reminded to >> ensure that the resulting contribution is in line with the DFSG and the >> Social Contract in general. >> >> In summary, humans create Debian. >> >> >> ## Acknowledgements >> >> This proposal is inspired by GCC's AI Policy [1] and rust-lang's LLM >> Usage Policy [2]. Its wording is influenced by another ballot >> option [3]. >> >> [1] https://gcc.gnu.org/ai-policy.html >> >> [2] https://forge.rust-lang.org/policies/llm-usage.html >> >> [3] https://www.debian.org/vote/2026/vote_002#texta >> >> >Hi Gard, > >thanks for preparing this. Seconded. > > >best, > > >-- > >Matthias Geiger <werdahias> > >Debian Developer -- KiCad Contributor >GPG: ECBEDBB607B9B2BE
