The Open Source Initiative's executive director departs - what it means for the OSAID debate

"Stefano Maffulli, the group's first executive director, is set to step down in October to pursue work in open-source AI and data governance. Under Maffulli's leadership since 2021, OSI moved from a volunteer-centric group to a globally recognized nonprofit, notably releasing the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) 1.0, which, like the name suggests, established a standard for open-source AI licensing."

"The OSI, founded in February 1998, successfully advocated for open-source principles and stewarded the Open Source Definition (OSD) . For the last few years, however, the organization has grown slowly, even though new open-source challenges have emerged. When Maffulli took the position as the organization's first executive director, he faced the rise of difficult issues."

"Also: Linus Torvalds warns Linux devs: Stop cluttering patches with automated, useless links As Maffulli said when he was appointed, "Open source software is everywhere, but its definition is constantly being challenged. The zombies of shared source, limited-use, and proprietary software are emerging from the graves." When he took the job in 2021, he recalled, "Some people thought OSI's work was done. The Open Source Definition had 'won,' embraced even by organizations that once resisted it." He went on to say they thought, "there was nothing left to do. I didn't see it that way." He was right."

Stefano Maffulli will step down as executive director of the Open Source Initiative in October to pursue work in open-source AI and data governance. Since his 2021 appointment as the organization's first executive director, OSI transitioned from a volunteer-centric group to a globally recognized nonprofit and released the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) 1.0, establishing a standard for open-source AI licensing. Founded in February 1998, OSI has long stewarded the Open Source Definition but has experienced slow growth while new open-source challenges emerged. Maffulli confronted rising issues challenging the definition and scope of open source during his tenure.

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