Re: BALLOT OPTION: A cautious approach to generative AI

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Hi,

On 29/07/26 at 17:22 +0200, Tobias Frost wrote:
> -----BEGIN DRAFT PROPOSAL-----
>=20
> Summary: A cautious approach to generative AI
>=20
> Using its power under Constitution section 4.1(5), the Project issues
> the following statement describing its current position regarding the
> use of generative AI within Debian.
>=20
> Debian recognizes that generative AI raises significant ethical, legal,
> technical, and social concerns. These include questions relating to
> copyright and licensing, privacy, the provenance and quality of
> generated material, the health of Free Software communities, and the
> long-term consequences of widespread reliance on AI-generated content.
>=20
> Accordingly, Debian encourages contributors to avoid the use of
> generative AI where practical and to prefer human authorship,
> collaboration, and technical understanding over AI-generated output.
>=20
> At the same time, Debian has long relied on the judgment and
> responsibility of its contributors rather than prescribing individual
> workflows. Contributors remain responsible for everything they submit,
> irrespective of the tools used in preparing a contribution. Existing
> Debian standards regarding quality, correctness, licensing, and legal
> compliance continue to apply.
>=20
> Contributors using external generative AI services should exercise
> particular care not to disclose confidential information, embargoed
> security information, credentials, cryptographic keys, private
> communications, personal data, or other non-public Debian information.
>=20
> Nothing in this resolution should be understood as requiring
> contributors to use generative AI, nor as preventing contributors or
> maintainers from choosing not to use or accept AI-assisted
> contributions. Debian's existing collaborative processes remain the
> appropriate means for resolving such differences while allowing the
> project to continue making progress.
>=20
> While disclosure is not required, contributors are encouraged to
> voluntarily disclose the use of generative AI where appropriate,
> allowing others who prefer not to interact with AI-assisted content to
> make informed choices.
>=20
> Such disclosure should be regarded as a courtesy to fellow contributors
> rather than an indication that AI-assisted contributions are subject to
> different technical or procedural standards.
>=20
> The Debian project has always recognized the commitment and
> professionalism of its members. All contributions are under the
> responsibility of the Debian Contributor making it, no matter the
> technology they have behind. We trust all Debian Developers,
> Maintainers and Contributors will continue to uphold the high quality
> values that have distinguished our project from its onset.
>=20
> -----END PROPOSAL-----

Seconded.

While this option will obviously not be my first choice, I believe that
it fills an important gap in the current ballot and thus should be on
the ballot.

Minor nitpick -- it could be useful to simplify the logical structure of:
> Nothing in this resolution should be understood as requiring
> contributors to use generative AI, nor as preventing contributors or
> maintainers from choosing not to use or accept AI-assisted
> contributions.

Maybe as:
> Nothing in this resolution should be understood as requiring
> contributors or maintainers to use generative AI, or to accept
> AI-assisted contributions.

Lucas

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