GitHub users have expressed significant concern over the introduction of a feature that allows AI-generated issues via Copilot, GitHub’s AI-powered tool. Although the feature was briefly available, it was later removed, sparking a detailed discussion around the potential impact of AI on code repositories. The feature was initially touted as a way to streamline the issue creation process, with GitHub’s blog claiming it would make the task ‘faster and easier’ without compromising quality.
The introduction of this feature prompted a strong reaction from some GitHub users, many of whom voiced concerns about the potential for AI-generated issues to degrade the quality of their projects and lead to violations of the code of conduct for their repositories. The backlash highlighted the growing tension between the integration of AI in development workflows and the risks associated with unregulated AI activity in critical codebases. One user expressed concerns about the ‘tone-deaf move’ of allowing AI access to mission-critical codebases, especially at an early stage of AI development.
Some users have even threatened to migrate their repositories off of GitHub if the feature is not properly managed. Others have suggested that disabling AI-generated issues should be the default setting for repositories rather than an optional configuration. The discussion also sparked suggestions for mitigating the issue, including the implementation of a Copilot-blocking Captcha test, which was humorously referred to to as ‘Sloptcha’ by some users.
Although the feature was removed from the ‘Create New Issue’ page, the debate highlights a broader conversation about the role of AI in software development. The discussion underscores the need for careful consideration of AI’s impact on projects and the importance of maintaining control over code repositories. As AI continues to integrate into development workflows, the balance between efficiency and quality will remain a critical topic of discussion among developers, GitHub, and the broader software community.