For open source programs, AI coding tools are a mixed blessing | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Russell Brandom

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

AI coding tools have revolutionized software development but come with unintended consequences for open source projects. While these tools make creating new features easier, they have also flooded projects with low-quality code, overwhelming maintainers and leading to a decline in the average quality of submissions. This has forced open source developers to build new systems to manage contributions, such as limiting access to trusted users. Despite their benefits, AI tools are proving challenging for less experienced contributors to use effectively, highlighting a need for better management practices. The impact on open source projects is significant. For instance, VLC’s CEO reported that many merge requests are now of poor quality, wasting reviewers’ time and affecting motivation. Similarly, the Blender Foundation found that AI-assisted contributions often led to frustration among reviewers. Even bug bounty programs, like cURL’s, have been overwhelmed by low-quality reports generated by AI tools, leading to their suspension. The root issue lies in differing priorities between companies and open source projects. While corporations value new code and products, open source focuses on stability and maintenance. This mismatch complicates the adoption of AI tools, which are often seen as a double-edged sword—useful for experienced developers but problematic when misapplied by less skilled contributors. The rise of AI coding tools has sparked debates about their long-term impact on software development. While they offer undeniable benefits, such as accelerating feature creation, their misuse threatens to undermine the sustainability of open source projects unless better management practices are implemented. The challenge now is to balance innovation with quality, ensuring that AI tools enhance rather than hinder the collaborative nature of open source.

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/19/2026