DOC: Impove AI policy

timhoffm · timhoffm · commit d038726fa17f · 2026-04-07T08:30:48.000+02:00
- Change title from "Restrictions ..." to "Usage ..." which is more neutral - Introductory paragraph copied from https://devguide.python.org/getting-started/generative-ai/#generative-ai (CC0 license) - I find this a very good high-level summary of the mindset - Add lists of acceptable and unacceptable uses
diff --git a/doc/devel/contribute.rst b/doc/devel/contribute.rst
@@ -185,32 +185,37 @@ If you have developed an extension to Matplotlib, please consider adding it to o
 
 .. _generative_ai:
 
+Usage of Generative AI
+======================
+
+Generative AI tools have evolved rapidly, and their suggested results can be
+helpful. As with using any tool, the resulting contribution is the responsibility
+of the contributor. Discretion, good judgment, and critical thinking are the
+foundation of all good contributions, regardless of the tools used in their
+creation. We value good code, concise accurate documentation, and
+avoiding unneeded code churn. We expect authentic engagement in our community.
+Make sure you have added value based on your personal competency to your
+contributions.
 
-Restrictions on Generative AI Usage
-===================================
+**Acceptable uses** include
 
-We expect authentic engagement in our community.
+- Gaining understanding of the existing code
+- Getting solution ideas
+- Translating or proof-reading your comments or PR descriptions. Please keep the
+  wording as close as possible to your original wording.
 
-- Do not post output from Large Language Models or similar generative AI as
-  comments on GitHub or our discourse server, as such comments tend to be
-  formulaic and low content.
-- If you use generative AI tools as an aid in developing code or documentation
-  changes, ensure that you fully understand the proposed changes and can
-  explain why they are the correct approach.
-- If you use AI for translation or grammar correction, please keep the wording as close
-  as possible to the original wording. It is much easier to come to a mutual
-  understanding when we are working off a direct translation of your words/thoughts
-  rather than a text an LLM may have embellished with possibly spurious information.
+**Unacceptable uses** include
 
-Make sure you have added value based on your personal competency to your
-contributions. Just taking some input, feeding it to an AI and posting the
-result is not of value to the project. To preserve precious core developer
-capacity, we reserve the right to rigorously reject seemingly AI generated
-low-value contributions.
-
-In particular, it is also strictly forbidden to post AI generated
-content to issues or PRs via automated tooling such as bots or agents. We
-may ban such users and/or report them to GitHub.
+- External AI tooling (e.g. bots, agents) directly interacting with the project;
+  including creating issues, PRs or commenting on GitHub or Discourse.
+- Solving topics that you wouldn't be able to solve yourself without AI
+- Using AI output without ensuring that you fully understand the output or
+  without verifying that it is the correct approach.
+
+To ensure project health and preserve precious core developer
+capacity, we will flag low-value contributions that we believ are AI generated and
+will rigorously reject them. We may ban and/or report users to GitHub if they
+harm the project or its community through irresponsible use of AI.
 
 .. _new_contributors:
 
