Code referencing now generally available in GitHub Copilot and with Microsoft Azure AI

GitHub has announced the general availability of code referencing in GitHub Copilot Chat and GitHub Copilot code completions, a feature designed to enhance transparency and knowledge sharing among developers. This new capability allows developers to either block or allow suggestions that contain matching public code, providing details such as the matching code, its file location, and any associated licensing information. This feature is currently available in VS Code and will be expanded soon, with GitHub partnering with Microsoft Azure to offer the code referencing API on Azure AI Content Safety. Code referencing aims to empower developers by providing more informed decision-making capabilities and ensuring that businesses can innovate while maintaining compliance with licensing agreements. This initiative reflects GitHub's commitment to the values of the open-source community, fostering innovation through enhanced transparency and collaboration across AI development tools.