The Linux kernel community is currently debating a significant proposal that could see countless legacy network drivers purged from the mainline source code to combat an unsustainable surge in AI-driven bug reports. This development follows a patch series submitted by OG developer Andrew Lunn to the netdev mailing list earlier this week.
Maintaining support for old hardware has always been a “thing” for Linux. However, thanks to AI-wielding “detectives,” the sheer number of reports is forcing a shift in the kernel’s long-standing philosophy. Developers must now choose between addressing countless low-quality or hallucinated reports on systems no one uses or focusing their limited time on modern, high-impact subsystems.
