The 6 AI-free Linux distros I recommend most - and why they're likely to stay that way

Linux distros I recommend most - and why they're likely to stay that way">

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AI is everywhere, and the technology's tendrils continue finding their way into more and more places. Will we soon see AI in shopping carts, waffle makers, heated blankets -- rocks?

OK, maybe AI in rocks is a stretch, but you get the point.

Microsoft and Apple are embedding their respective AIs into the heart of their operating systems, and some Linux distributions, such as Omarchy , have followed suit.

Also: I tested one of the first Linux distros to go all in on AI - and I didn't hate it

Fortunately, not every Linux distribution has plans to add AI into the mix. In fact, several distros have either explicitly taken a stance against AI -- or have a general ethos that ensures AI will not become part of the OS.

One thing to know: Just because an OS refuses to ship (or use) AI, it doesn't mean that users can't install it for themselves. That's up to the end user. Also, not every one of these distro developers has made public statements about not including AI, but their foundations and ethos stand against such things. To that end, I've had to draw conclusions based on my long-term experience and understanding of how these distributions work and evolve.

Debian has made it clear that AI will never be included in the OS. For Debian, part of the issue is the openness of LLMs. The developers made that perfectly clear when they stated, "AI models released under DFSG-compatible license without original training data or program are not seen as DFSG-compliant." DFSG stands for Debian Free Software Guidelines, and the developers and community take the standard seriously. Because of this, I cannot see any point at which Debian will include AI with the operating system.

Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distro

Keep in mind that Debian is the "mother of distributions," because so many distributions (including Ubuntu) use it as a base. This means that all of those distributions beneath it will not have to deal with preinstalled AI.

Although the Void developers haven't taken an official public stance on AI in the OS, it's safe to assume we'll never see it ship with AI. One reason for this is the very nature of Void Linux as a "DIY" Linux distribution.

Void Linux starts with just the basics and leaves the rest up to the user. That ethos alone should ensure that AI is never a part of the base. On top of all that, Void is considered a minimalist distro, which means it aims to be as small as possible. (AI would increase the ISO size.)