GitHub ponders kill switch for pull requests to stop AI slop (www.theregister.com)

GitHub is considering implementing a "kill switch" for pull requests amid rising concerns about the influx of low-quality contributions, particularly those generated by AI tools. Product manager Camilla Moraes opened a discussion highlighting the operational challenges faced by maintainers who are overwhelmed by contributions that often fail to meet quality standards and project guidelines. This issue has become pressing as AI-generated submissions can appear structurally sound yet contain logical errors or pose security risks, complicating the review process for maintainers who are now burdened with assessing both the code and the author's level of understanding. The significance of this initiative lies in its potential to reshape how open-source projects handle contributions in an era of increasing AI involvement. Moraes suggested possible solutions like restricting pull requests to collaborators, enhancing permission settings, and developing AI-driven triage tools. The growing problem of "AI slop" is not only burdening maintainers but also threatens to erode community engagement, as contributors may increasingly rely on AI for submissions without fully grasping the implications. GitHub aims to collaborate with the developer community to address these challenges and improve the overall quality and transparency of contributions.