In a recent presentation, Dmitry Brant from Wikimedia showcased the port of the driver ftape for modern Linux kernels. Originally developed in 2000, the driver was removed from the kernel in 2006 due to compatibility issues with multi-core systems. To bring the driver up to date with current Linux distributions, adjustments were needed to align with changes in the internal API and kernel subsystems over the past two decades.
What makes this porting effort remarkable is that it was largely carried out by the Claude Code AI assistant. With the assistance of AI, a fully functional driver was successfully created, capable of operating on systems running kernel version 6.8 and newer. The process involved three stages: modifying the code for compilation with modern kernels, converting the driver into a loadable kernel module, and addressing errors and issues that arose during testing.
Initially perceived as a daunting task that would require weeks of studying documentation, the porting work was completed in just two evenings with the help of the AI assistant. Dmitry emphasizes that while AI tools can be valuable, they should be viewed as enhancements to one’s skills rather than replacements. Effective communication and clear task formulation are essential for utilizing AI assistants effectively.
Dmitry suggests treating AI assistants as subordinate engineers, capable of executing tasks as directed but still requiring human oversight. Understanding the strengths and limitations of AI tools is crucial in assigning tasks that align with their capabilities. Ultimately, the responsibility for decisions and the outcome of the project lies with the human operator, who must guide and supervise the AI assistant throughout the process.