# Linux Foundation study: 25% of open-source pull requests are low-quality AI output

> **Key takeaway:** A Linux Foundation study estimates one quarter of new open-source pull requests are low-quality AI-generated submissions, even as maintainers report 50% productivity gains from generative AI tools.

**Published:** 2026-10-20T13:18:46+00:00 
**Source:** Phoronix Benchmarks & Drivers 
**Category:** kernel-os 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/linux-foundation-study-25-of-open-source-pull-requests-are-l.html 

## Summary
The Linux Foundation published research on generative AI's impact on open-source development. The study found GenAI can halve coding time across OSS tasks, and 59% of maintainers see growing AI-based contributions. However, 25% of incoming pull requests are estimated to be low-quality "AI slop." 71% of maintainers agreed that GenAI lowers barriers to entry for new contributors.

## What the Linux Foundation measured
- **25%** of new pull requests classified as low-quality AI-generated submissions
- **50%** reduction in coding time reported across all OSS development task types
- **59%** of project maintainers observed growing GenAI-based contributions
- **71%** of maintainers agreed GenAI reduces barriers to entry for newcomers
- Study published by Linux Foundation Research, full report available at linuxfoundation.org

## Why it matters
The 25% slop rate suggests maintainer burnout may worsen as review overhead grows, potentially counteracting the claimed 50% productivity benefit. The finding that 71% of maintainers see lower barriers to entry may also indicate an influx of underprepared contributors relying on AI tools rather than developing skills.