Appreciate the list! Definitely going to be grabbing as many programs who actively reject AI as I can. Gotta support those who are keeping up the good fight! Thanks again ProdigalFrog!

Agreed! With how many linux distros we have out there some choices on AI usage would be nice!

Less totally cool and more reaching for stuff that is at least somewhat doable. The Linux kernel is going to do what it wants and alternatives to it that provide the same level of functionality are just not really there at least in the areas that are important to me.

I understand the kernel has utilized AI. I am referring specifically to the work done on this distro end. The rest of the software outside the kernel. Not much that can be done regarding the kernel unless someone does an anti-AI fork

Already mentioned this in the post description. Purpose of the post is to find linux distros with an anti-AI policy.

I’ll take a look at them! AerynOS seems to be the primarily distro I have found with a no AI policy but sadly its atomic. Thanks for the recommendations!

Definitely will take a look at them! Appreciate the recommendations!

The posts purpose is to find linux distros that don’t use AI in their own code.

I’ve been tempted to give it a go a few times. Mainly for fun tbh. Appreciate the recommendation!

Already mentioned it in the post description. The posts purpose is to find linux distros that don’t use AI in their own code. Sadly can’t do much when it comes to the kernel.

Never said it was okay there. Purpose of this post is to locate a linux distro that isn’t using AI with what is under its own control. Can’t control the kernel but I can look for distros that share similar ethics.

Mentioned this in the description of the post already.

Nope. It’s a little confusing to read but option 5 won. It’s showcased in the part that lists the winner.

I understand they may not be utilizing them yet, but the vote was approval of the tools without disclosure. So this isn’t hypothetical, they are going to begin using them and therefore it makes sense for those with concerns regarding the technology to start looking for alternatives. It doesn’t require them to start adding AI chat bots to Debian or anything like that for me to make this move. The tool itself is the problem.

LLMs were created with the mass theft of others work by corporations that are now reselling that same information while making billions off it. Thats enough for me to want to step back from any project utilizing these tools.

It’s not due to them being a boogie man or not. LLMs have been created through the mass theft of others work and ethically I want no part of it. Asking for a distro without ai contribution is just doing what linux is best at. Providing choices to its users.

Posted some context in the description but the short version is Debian maintainers just voted to allow AI code without disclosure. Here is the vote: https://lists.debian.org/debian-vote/2026/08/msg00360.html

Posted some context in the description but the short version is Debian maintainers just voted to allow AI code without disclosure. Here is the vote: https://lists.debian.org/debian-vote/2026/08/msg00360.html

Not sure where this is posted in the article. Where does Jesse state this?

By basic they mean boring. Its programs tend to be slightly older but more stable with new releases coming during patches and major version changes. However, that also prevents programs being broken by someone pushing an update that isn’t done cooking.

I use mine for gaming, programming, art, basic internet usage and have had zero issues so far. The software center, used for getting new programs, is extremely easy to use and snappy. The default programs are all tried and tested, and the cinnamon desktop is very windows like.

I will say I have been using linux for a few years now and only have amd hardware when it comes to my cpu/gpu. Not sure if Nvidia plays quite as well with it but mint is a great place to start for most folks. If not the best part of linux is that you have plenty of other easy options you can try and nearly all totally free!