NetBSD Bans AI Code, Hits Record Donations as Linux Embraces AI

NetBSD's AI-Free Position Attracts Record Donations

NetBSD has explicitly banned AI-generated code, positioning itself as a free open-source operating system without artificial intelligence. This stance has resonated with users who oppose AI integration in open-source projects, leading to a record 120 donations totaling $120,282 — far exceeding the project's $50,000 goal.

Contrast with Linux and Other BSDs

While Linux creator Linus Torvalds stated Linux is not an anti-AI project, and Debian surveyed developers to allow AI contributions, NetBSD took a firm stance in 2024, shortly after its 30th anniversary, declaring: "Do not submit contaminated code to the codebase." Code generated by LLMs such as GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, or Code Llama is considered contaminated and requires prior written approval from the core team.

Open Source Summit Highlights AI Dominance

At the 2024 Open Source Summit in Prague, AI was the dominant theme across talks, booths, and merchandise. When asked about NetBSD, some Let's Encrypt members responded with confusion, illustrating NetBSD's low visibility in mainstream FOSS. Meanwhile, Linux remains the only widely visible general-purpose FOSS OS at such events.

Portability and Legacy Hardware Support

As FreeBSD 15 drops 32-bit x86 and POWER support, Debian 13 drops x86-32 and MIPS, and RHEL 10 requires x86-64-v3, NetBSD retains broad portability. Its slogan "Of course it runs NetBSD" remains relevant for older hardware, a factor that drove CERN to consider Debian after RHEL 10's requirements.

Community and Policy Differences Among BSDs

OpenBSD emphasizes security, removing the Bluetooth subsystem, and maintains a strict no-AI policy, though its built-in tmux has accepted AI-assisted changes.

FreeBSD has debated AI-generated code for over a year without consensus, with many viewing AI as just a tool.

NetBSD prides itself on a friendly, helpful community, as seen when mailing list members assisted a user attempting to install the classic CDE desktop on NetBSD 11.

NetBSD's Explicit Policy

"Do not submit contaminated code to the codebase. Using large language models or similar technologies — for example GitHub/Microsoft's Copilot, OpenAI's ChatGPT, or Facebook/Meta's Code Llama — generates code that is considered contaminated and must not be submitted without prior written approval from the core team."

This clear policy distinguishes NetBSD in an ecosystem where AI adoption is increasingly the default.