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Launch1d ago

Microsoft Adds "Co-Authored-by Copilot" to VS Code Commits Without User Consent

The Decoder

In brief

  • Microsoft has added a "Co-Authored-by Copilot" line to Git commits in Visual Studio Code, even when AI features are turned off.
    • This move sparked controversy as developers felt their work was being attributed to an AI without their knowledge or consent.
  • The feature was rolled out quietly, affecting all users regardless of their settings.
    • This raises concerns about transparency and control over code contributions.
  • While Microsoft claims the change aims to recognize AI's role in development, many worry it could dilute human authors' credit.
  • The company has yet to provide clear options for opting out or adjusting how Copilot is acknowledged.
  • Looking ahead, developers are likely to closely monitor updates on this feature.
  • Whether Microsoft will offer more control over attribution remains a key question for the community.

Terms in this brief

Co-Authored-by Copilot
A feature in Visual Studio Code that automatically adds an attribution line to Git commits, indicating that Microsoft's AI assistant Copilot contributed to the code. This happens even when AI features are turned off, leading to concerns about credit and control over work.

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