Open Source Initiative

The open source and standards working group: 1. Explores current standards setting organizations (sso) understanding of osi approved licenses, and more generally, open source software, development, and projects; 2. Educates sso in current principles and practices widely excepted by open source communities of practice; 3. Supports authentic engagement across open source communities (i.e. Implementers, contributors, projects, foundations) to ensure alignment with best practices in open source licensing, development and distribution; 4. Produces reference resources (educational materials, professional development activities, expert opinions, consulting services, etc.) to address gaps in understanding, support current practices, and increase the recognition of osi approved licensing and the osi license review process, and; 5. Encourages ssos to request and maintain formal peer relationships with osi. The working group acts as the formal correspondent. In 2024, open source initiative received a significant grant from the alfred p. Sloan foundation to create and educate the public about the open source ai definition.

Open source initiative is actively involved in community building, education, and public advocacy to promote awareness and the importance of non-proprietary software. Osi staff and board members use virtual resources or travel the world to attend open source conferences and events, meet with open source developers and users, and to discuss with executives from the public and private sectors about how open source technologies, licenses, and models of development can provide economic and strategic advantages.