Build your open source skills with AI [AI Skills Series] 🤖

[queenofcorgis]

Open source software (OSS) historically and continues to be on the forefront of cutting edge technology so it makes perfect sense to combine contributing to OSS with the revolutionary tool that is AI. However, when using any new tool ensuring you are doing so with care and quality is extra important. That’s why we’ve paired up with the maintainers of open source projects to run an intro course on using AI to meaningfully contribute, improving both the project and your coding skills.

Over the next three weeks, we’ll focus on impactful and important aspects of using AI in open source, participate to uplevel your AI skills, meet maintainers and other contributors, and for a chance to win a swag shop credit!

Schedule 📅

• Week One: Comprehending Complex Codebases 🧠
  • AI can help you understand a complicated project
• Week Two: Perfecting the Pull Request 🖌️
  • How to disclose you’ve used AI to help write your code
• Week Three: Code Critic 🕵️
  • Reviewing your AI-generated code to ensure it won’t break, have security issues, etc.

Respecting Project Norms

Before using AI tools with any open source project:

• Check if the project has specific AI usage guidelines in their CONTRIBUTING.md file
• Some projects may prefer certain tasks remain "human-only" learning opportunities
• Remember that different communities have different comfort levels with AI-assisted contributions
• When in doubt, ask the maintainers directly about their preferences

Why should I join?

AI keeps unlocking more and more possibilities and open source is a great way to hone your passion for development. Use this course to combine those two skills and set yourself apart from the pack: become a trusted contributor, role model, and responsible AI user!

How do I join?

There will be a discussion each week that focuses on a different skillset, we’ll include tips, resources, examples, and a challenge for you to begin building that muscle. We’ll be posting in this discussion when a new challenge drops so subscribe to this one so you don’t miss out on a single moment of the fun of learning something new!

Those who participate will be entered to win one of 10 $30 GitHub swag shop credits. We’re excited to start the celebrations!

*No Purchase Necessary. Open only to Github community members 18+. Game ends 8/21/25. For details, see Official Rules.