Linux kernel maintainers Linus Torvalds has shared his views on vibe coding, encouraging its use as a starting point for new programmers while warning against its application in production environments. During an interview at the Linux Foundation Open Source Summit in Seoul, Torvalds acknowledged the value of vibe coding in helping beginners grasp programming concepts. However, he emphasized that this approach is unsuitable for long-term software maintenance due to its inherent instability and lack of rigor. Torvalds pointed out that modern computing has become significantly more complex than when he first learned to code by typing in programs from computer magazines. Additionally, he addressed the increasing impact of AI crawlers on kernel infrastructure, noting their disruptive effects on data collection practices.
Torvalds also mentioned that his role in the Linux kernel community has evolved from rejecting new ideas to occasionally advocating for them despite opposition from long-time maintainers who resist change. He noted that Rust is becoming an integral part of the kernel, moving away from its experimental status. However, he expressed concerns about AI-assisted coding tools, which he believes have disrupted the Linux kernel’s infrastructure by gathering data from kernel.org’s source code. Kernel maintainers now face an increased volume of bugs and security notices that are often fabricated by individuals misusing AI, although Torvalds indicated that the problem is less severe than it is for other open-source projects like curl.