# System76 bans AI-generated code in cosmic desktop contributions

Digest AI · Society & Work · published 2026-10-07T08:09:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/system76-bans-ai-generated-code-in-cosmic-desktop-contributions

## Summary

**System76** updated its **COSMIC** desktop project guidelines to prohibit AI-generated contributions, including code, comments, and descriptions. Contributors must now declare they have not used large language models for any part of their pull requests. This follows similar restrictions in **GNOME** sub-projects like **Calendar** and **Extensions**, though those allow AI tools for learning or code completion but not final submissions.** COSMIC**, a newer Linux desktop environment, was first released in 2025 and is built in **Rust** using the **Iced** toolkit, unlike the older, **C**-based **GNOME**, which dates back to 1997 and remains the default on **Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)**. The debate over AI’s role in open-source contributions is ongoing, with **Michael Catanzaro**, a **GNOME** developer, arguing in a blog post that AI-generated bug reports should be permitted due to the difficulty of writing secure code in memory-unsafe languages like **C** and **C++**. Catanzaro’s stance aligns with **Red Hat’s** recent shift toward AI, despite earlier spending caps for developers. The discussion raises broader questions about the future of AI-assisted contributions in open-source projects, from bug triage to code fixes and extensions.

## Key points

- System76’s **COSMIC** desktop now requires contributors to certify no AI-generated code, comments, or descriptions in pull requests
- GNOME’s **Calendar** and **Extensions** projects also ban AI-generated submissions but allow AI-assisted learning or code completion
- GNOME developer **Michael Catanzaro** advocates for AI-generated bug reports, citing security challenges in memory-unsafe languages like **C**

## Why it matters

The move signals a growing divide in open-source communities over AI’s role in contributions, with some projects prioritizing human oversight while others argue AI can improve security and efficiency. It could influence future policies in projects like **KDE** and the Linux kernel, where AI-assisted contributions are already accepted.

## Sources

1. [COSMIC shuts the door on AI code as GNOME debates letting bug reports in](https://theregister.com/software/2026/10/07/cosmic-shuts-the-door-on-ai-code-as-gnome-debates-letting-bug-reports-in/5301141) (The Register AI/ML, 2026-10-07)

Part of the developing story: [System76 Battles AI Code in Cosmic Project](https://digestai.news/thread/system76-blocks-llm-generated-code-in-cosmic-project-pull-requests) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "System76 bans AI-generated code in cosmic desktop contributions", 7 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/system76-bans-ai-generated-code-in-cosmic-desktop-contributions

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