The influence of open-source software in the development and deployment of generative AI solutions is growing.
According to a recent report from the Linux Foundation Research, nearly half of organizations adopting generative AI prefer open-source solutions. This highlights the critical role that open-source software plays in shaping the future of AI technologies.
The report surveyed 316 AI professionals and found that 94% of organizations are currently utilizing generative AI, with 42% reporting high adoption rates. Among these organizations, 41% leverage open-source code infrastructure, which rises to 47% among high adopters.
Open-source tools are cost-effective and scalable, making them attractive to organizations. They reduce upfront licensing costs and long-term dependencies on proprietary vendors. Cloud-native technologies, such as Kubernetes, enable the scalability of generative AI programs.
Transparency and trust in the source code are also important factors for organizations choosing open-source generative AI solutions. Over half of the respondents indicated that these factors significantly influenced their decisions. Open-source software allows organizations to verify model behavior, identify biases, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
However, navigating AI licensing remains a challenge, as many LLMs claim to be open source but operate under licenses that do not meet the open-source definition. The momentum behind open-source generative AI is expected to continue growing, with 71% of respondents reporting that open source positively influences their decision-making processes. Additionally, 73% of organizations anticipate increasing their use of open-source generative AI tools over the next two years.
Open-source AI is seen as essential for promoting trust, collaboration, and innovation within the industry. The integration of open-source principles will be vital for organizations aiming to remain competitive and aligned with industry trends.
In summary, open-source software is reshaping the technological landscape of generative AI by offering cost-effective, scalable, and transparent solutions.