[FFmpeg-devel] [RFC] Introducing policies regarding "AI" contributions

[Alexander Strasser]

Hi Michael!

On 2025-07-04 12:15 +0200, Michael Niedermayer wrote:
> The use of tools to assist developers is growing and will
> continue to grow. Its not going away.
> And what one can and cannot do with these tools will evolve
> 
> I dont think i understand the thought process behind this policy.

I did not propose any policy in particular yet. So I'm not
sure what you are referring to.


> Licenses need to be complied to, code needs to be of good quality.

With the way the technology works, I can't see how the quality
goals should be reached, but maybe someone else can explain it.
Sure it can support. Or give inspiration like Nicolas mentioned
and you rewrite it almost completely before submission.

More importantly I see no way for the license part to work out
automagically. In how far is the result a derivative other works?
How would we apply attribution where original works demand it?
How do we now the generated code is not just a mostly exact copy
of the original training material?
We cannot just relicense e.g. GPL as LGPL.

So I would say at least some policy stating the obvious and that
it also applies to LLM outputs is in order. It's not about being
able to control it, but to make it more visible and also what I
replied to Remi. Pointing people to it and increasing awareness.

Maybe encouraging marking of LLM generated content be it in code
(docs), tickets or mails would also be a good idea.


[Remainder of your mail skipped that seems not relevant to this
discussion]


Best regards,
  Alexander