Linux Sheds Obsolete Drivers as AI Fuzzing Strains Kernel Maintenance

The Linux kernel development community faces a mounting challenge: AI-powered fuzzing tools are discovering potential bugs in decades-old hardware drivers that likely have no active users, creating unsustainable maintenance burdens. By removing ISA and PCMCIA-era network drivers, Linux signals a pragmatic shift in its stewardship philosophy, choosing to prioritize developer time and kernel health over maintaining hypothetical hardware compatibility. This decision could mark a turning point for how major open-source projects navigate the tension between backward compatibility and the realities of AI-assisted code analysis.