Open-source AI is the promise of the future.

We've already seen this before. What are the limits to what a community engaged in the evolution of a technology can achieve? Concerns about the direction of AI, both regarding applied ethics to AI models and even national regulations in the face of technology, engage the community in a common goal. Therefore, in the face of these concerns, we see a repetition of what happened in the past with operating systems for computers, for example. Since the emergence of Linux, an open-source operating system, the community engaged with this technology has done incredible things often without receiving a cent.

With AI, projects like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, and OpenScholar are among the most relevant examples. These platforms have not only accelerated the development of AI models but also made the technology more accessible to researchers, developers, and businesses of all sizes. Additionally, another recent but quite interesting example of this trend is Apertus, an open-source language model launched in September 2025 by a group of institutions in Switzerland with the goal of making AI access possible for free, with security and ethics. The launch of Apertus is practically a manifesto for transparency.

Even large technology companies like Meta, AMD, Intel, and IBM know the importance and relevance of the community for the evolution of AI. The AI Alliance is proof of this. In addition to various other private companies, other institutions like The Linux Foundation itself and the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) are involved and engaged in the AI Alliance with the mission of making AI a technology to everyone, for all, and not just to a small group for a few.

It was something like that what happened with Linux in the 90s. As open-source AI challenges private companies, Linux challenged the monopoly of operating systems. Initially, many doubted that an open-source OS could compete with the solutions that already dominated the market, like Windows. However, Linux not only solidified itself as a viable alternative but also became a more secure, accessible, and customizable option.

Today, Linux is one of the main alternatives to Windows - which recently, by the way, has forced its users to upgrade to Windows 11 by any means necessary - being used in a wide range of devices (by the way, did you know that the Android you use is based on Linux?). Similarly, open-source AI models are offering more accessible and flexible alternatives. And they are reflecting the community's concerns about privacy and security.

The evolution of AI is a testament to the power of the open-source community, and the projects that already exist demonstrate that when people come together around a common goal, innovation can happen in ways that private companies often cannot replicate. Just as Linux transformed the operating system landscape, open-source AI models are transforming the AI landscape, making it more accessible, secure, and innovative for everyone.