There is hardly an organization or an individual in the private or public sector that needs convincing of the innovative power of open source collaboration and the extent to which digital society relies on it today. The global open source communities have a huge positive worldwide impact and have evolved together, facing and collectively tackling various issues. Amongst the challenges the open source ecosystem is dealing with today are software fragmentation, techno-nationalism, inclusivity, cybersecurity, maintainers fatigue, etc.
In January 2023 the Linux Foundation published the Enabling Global Collaboration report with Open source practitioners’ views on the threats to global collaboration. Following the report, on July 27, the Linux Foundation hosted the Open Source Congress. The event gathered global Open Source organizations to align on cross-foundation common values and to identify areas of common interests and concerns.
Though acting independently in their own sphere of influence with a focus on their communities, these like-minded open source focused groups face common challenges – collective and individual. Bringing them together to get to know each other better, where they come from and what they deal with, and forming another one of those powerful communities that we know so well, could turn the challenges into opportunities for future collaboration and sustainable solutions to common problems. While the event was focused on and for various open source foundations and organizations, companies such as VMware were invited to send delegates in an observer role.
Observing the discussions around hot topics like Open Source security, regulations, diversity and inclusion and AI created a sense of hope that although we perceive things in a different way and are executing on our own agendas, if we align ourselves and work closely together, obstacles can be overcome easier and faster.
On DEI
Behind every successful open source project there is a vibrant community – the more diverse the community, the more robust the project. And that diversity of ideas generates superior solutions to problems. Fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment however is a problem as old as time and requires focused efforts that change beliefs and behaviors.
On Security
The myriad open source communities solve complex technical challenges. Building new digital capabilities however should be done with security in mind. Recent security incidents have prioritized cybersecurity for all including open source projects. Introducing new security layers, building and applying best practices, investing in security training, filling the security skills gap, auditing etc. are just some of the actions organizations around the world take to improve the security of their supply chains. Security is not a one-person show or a one-time effort but a focus for collaboration and continuous commitment.
On Regulations
With critical infrastructure dependent on Open Source, governments around the world have started paying closer attention to that software development model and have begun acknowledging the innovative potential of open source technologies. Implementing protection mechanisms in the form of policies and regulations however unlocks a spectrum of reactions – from approval through misunderstanding to contempt. The open source business model requires an unconventional approach, cross-education, mutual understanding and trust.
On AI/ML
To make today’s tech scenery even more picturesque, AI/ML is quickly making its way in all areas of life, challenging the status quo, bringing in its own risks and security, transparency, privacy, inclusivity, legal, and ethical concerns. While each subsequent technical challenge seems to be overcome rapidly with hectic excitement, the resolving of the critical regulatory, human, and ethical issues will take longer.
It Takes a Village
Now more than ever the public and private sectors together with open source communities need to discuss and educate each other in order to identify solutions, as the issues are bigger than individual interests and egos. What is currently a race can be transformed into a collective journey.
Could the romantic belief in shared open values and the dramatic threat of collective challenges create powerful collaboration opportunities to overcome the hardships of the present and the future? I am looking forward to finding out!
