Linus Torvalds has posted the first release candidate for Linux kernel 7.4, whose unusually large merge window contains almost 20,000 commits. He said he was much happier with AI-triggered work going into the merge window than appearing mainly as extra fixes during the -rc period, and hoped this signalled AI fixes becoming more part of normal development. He described that as a “much healthier model” for the project, while noting that expected LTS status can be another reason releases tend to be larger.
In his weekly state-of-the-kernel update, Torvalds wrote that he is “much happier with the flood of AI triggered work going into the merge window than it showing up mainly as extra fixes during the -rc period.” He hopes this is a sign that AI fixes are becoming more part of normal development than a flood of fixes during the stabilization phase. However, he noted that people expect 7.4 to be the next long-term support release, another independent reason some releases tend to be larger. “So it may not just be the flood of AI patches,” he wrote.
Torvalds also appeared not to be entirely convinced that all AI submissions were helpful, describing this release as “large, and full of fixes for issues found by AI (and more and more the patches have been suggested by AI too, although they often get rewritten).”
The kernel-watchers at Phoronix rate the major inclusions as improved support for processors from AMD, Apple, and Google. Other additions include tweaks to improve security for virtual machines, support for the Raspberry Pi 10-inch monitor, and more work to get Linux running on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 SoC for PCs. AMD GPU register offsets and bit masks make up a third of the changes.
“We've been here before, and I'm sure we'll see it many times again in the future,” Torvalds wrote. “Just ignore the noise.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The health of AI contributions to the kernel could affect the stability and development pace of the world's most widely used open-source operating system.
- Torvalds' acceptance of AI-generated patches as part of normal development may encourage more AI-assisted contributions to other open-source projects.
- The large merge window, combined with expectations for a long-term support release, may put additional stress on the kernel's release cycle.
Background
The Linux kernel is a massive open-source project overseen by Linus Torvalds. Recent years have seen an influx of AI-generated patches aimed at fixing bugs and improving code, prompting debate about their impact on stability. This release marks the first candidate for version 7.4, which is expected to become a long-term support release.
Key Perspectives
What to Watch
- Whether the trend of AI contributions arriving during the merge window rather than the stabilisation phase continues in subsequent releases.
- The final release of Linux 7.4 and its formal designation as a long-term support version.
- Any stability issues arising from the large number of AI-generated patches.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedTorvalds says AI fixes may be becoming more part of normal Linux development.www.theregister.com - Articles: “he hopes that the unusually large number of commits “is a sign that the AI fixes are becoming more part of the ‘normal development’””
- Partly supportedThe summary says Linux 7.4’s release candidate contains nearly 20,000 commits.www.theregister.com - Articles: ““This is a *BIG* merge window,” he wrote in his weekly state of the kernel update, as it contains almost 20,000 commits”
- SupportedTorvalds posted the first release candidate for Linux kernel 7.4.www.theregister.com - Articles: “Linus Torvalds has posted the first release candidate for version 7.4 of the Linux kernel”
- SupportedTorvalds said he was “much happier” with AI-triggered work going into the merge window than appearing mainly as extra fixes during the -rc period.www.theregister.com - Articles: ““I think the reason is the by now obvious one, but I'm actually taking it as a good sign: I'm *much* happier with the flood of AI triggered work going into the merge window than it showing up mainly as extra fixes during the -rc period.””
- SupportedTorvalds called the shift toward AI fixes in normal development a “much healthier model.”www.theregister.com - Articles: ““I think that's a much healthier model,” he added”
- SupportedTorvalds noted that people expect 7.4 to be the next LTS release, which is another reason some releases tend to be larger.www.theregister.com - Articles: ““people are expecting 7.4 to be the next LTS [long-term support] release, which is another independent reason why some releases tend larger than others.””
- Partly supportedTorvalds described the release as “large, and full of fixes for issues found by AI,” adding that AI increasingly suggests patches that are often rewritten.www.theregister.com - Articles: ““Large, and full of fixes for issues found by AI (and more and more the patches have been suggested by AI too, although they often get rewritten).””
- SupportedAMD GPU register offsets and bit masks make up a third of the changes.www.theregister.com - Articles: “AMD GPU register offsets and bit masks make up a third of the changes this time around.”
- SupportedMajor inclusions include improved support for processors from AMD, Apple and Google.www.theregister.com - Articles: “The kernel-watchers at Phoronix rate the major inclusions in Linux 7.4 as improved support for processors from AMD, Apple, and Google.”
- SupportedOther additions include tweaks to improve security for virtual machines.www.theregister.com - Articles: “Other additions include some handy tweaks to improve security for virtual machines”
- SupportedOther additions include support for the Raspberry Pi 10-inch monitor.www.theregister.com - Articles: “support for the Raspberry Pi 10-inch monitor”
- SupportedOther additions include more work to get Linux running on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 SoC for PCs.www.theregister.com - Articles: “more work to get Linux running happily on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 SoC for PCs.”
