Linux 7.3-rc6 released: Torvalds said it has entered the "new normal of AI", and the stable version is expected to be released in mid-OctoberLinux 7.3-rc6 发布：Torvalds 称进入“AI 新常态”，稳定版预计 10 月中旬发布

IT House reported on October 5 that Linus Torvalds released the Linux 7.3-rc6 beta version on October 4, local time. Compared with the more special code change statistics of the previous week, this week has returned to normal overall, with driver repairs once again accounting for the majority. However, Torvalds also specifically mentioned that with the participation of AI and large language models (LLM), this "AI new normal" has become part of the current Linux kernel development cycle. Torvalds said there have been no outliers this week and code change statistics have returned to the usual state of "about half coming from driver fixes." The driver side involves multiple subsystems such as GPU, network, USB, TTY, IIO, audio, etc., and the overall repair characteristics are relatively scattered. He also pointed out that the number of commits this time is also within the normal range, but this is the new "AI normal" - a large number of small error path handling fixes are entering the kernel code tree. Several previous Linux 7.3 test versions also saw a large number of patches discovered or assisted by AI/LLM, resulting in significantly more active repair activities throughout the development cycle. In addition to driver fixes, Linux 7.3-rc6 also contains regular architectural updates, mainly related to KVM; the core network code is also fixed; the file system is mainly related to the SMB client; and a batch of new kernel self-tests are also added. In terms of hardware support, Linux 7.3-rc6 adds support for the Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race steering wheel and pedal system. This device could previously perform basic HID input under Linux, but there were some problems. This time, after adding the corresponding device ID through the hid-universal-pidff driver, it can obtain more complete support. This kit is aimed at racing simulation games and is priced at approximately US$649 to US$700 (IT House Note: The current exchange rate is approximately RMB 4,355 to 4,697). At the same time, Linux 7.3 has also withdrawn HID++ support for the previously added Logitech Bolt receiver due to too many issues reported by users. The related HID update also contains a buffer overflow fix for the Intel THC driver, as well as other device support and bug fixes. AI/LLM has been involved in code review and defect discovery many times throughout the Linux 7.3 development cycle. A large number of AI/LLM related fixes have entered the code tree in the Linux 7.3-rc3 stage; by rc4 and rc5, developers continue to deal with problems discovered by AI, and some kernel patches generated by AI assistance have also appeared. However, Torvalds does not think that there is anything unusual in the development of Linux 7.3. His use of the term "AI normal" this time is actually describing a development model that has gradually become the norm: AI tools bring more code inspections, defect discovery and patch submissions, which also means that maintainers need to handle more detailed repair work. Torvalds said that next week coincides with the annual maintainer summit and the Linux Plumbers Conference, and he and several other maintainers will be traveling, so the code statistics of rc7 may be different, but it is not expected to affect the Linux 7.3 release schedule. According to the current development progress, the stable version of Linux 7.3 is expected to be released in mid-October. Canonical has previously adjusted the target kernel of Ubuntu 26.10 from Linux 7.2 to Linux 7.3. Therefore, the release time of the Linux 7.3 stable version will also directly affect the final kernel foundation of the subsequent Ubuntu 26.10 version.