The Open Source Initiative (OSI) has officially released version 1.0 of the Open Source AI Definition after a year-long global community design process. This milestone was announced at the All Things Open 2024 conference, a gathering focused on common issues within the worldwide Open Source community.
The Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) v.1.0 sets a standard for community-led, open, and public evaluations to determine whether an AI system qualifies as Open Source AI. This version is the culmination of extensive research, collaboration, workshops, and a year-long co-design process led by the OSI, a globally recognized authority in the Open Source space.
Carlo Piana, OSI board chair, praised the co-design process that led to the development of the definition. He emphasized that the process adhered to the principles of the OSI and resulted in a definition that aligns with the standards of Open Source, as defined in the Open Source Definition and the Four Essential Freedoms.
According to Ayah Bdeir, who leads AI strategy at Mozilla, the new definition mandates Open Source AI models to provide detailed information about their training data. This requirement ensures that a skilled person can replicate a similar system using the same or similar data, promoting transparency and accountability in the AI ecosystem.
Liv Marte Nordhaug, CEO of the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA) secretariat, commended OSI’s efforts in defining Open Source AI. The DPGA secretariat plans to build on this work as they update the DPG Standard related to AI.
Stella Biderman, executive director at the EleutherAI Institute, highlighted the importance of transparency in the field of AI. Biderman expressed that the Open Source AI Definition supports independent researchers and promotes transparency among major AI developers.
Stefano Maffulli, OSI Executive Director, acknowledged the challenges faced during the development of OSAID v.1.0 but stressed the importance of community engagement in improving the definition over time.
The release of the OSAID v.1.0 marks a significant milestone in the Open Source AI ecosystem. The full text of the definition and a list of global stakeholders who endorse it can be accessed on the OSI website.
Founded in 1998, the Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and advocating for the benefits of Open Source. The OSI sets standards for the global Open Source ecosystem and welcomes support from individuals and organizations interested in furthering the mission of Open Source.
In conclusion, the release of the Open Source AI Definition v.1.0 represents a major step forward in promoting transparency, accountability, and collaboration in the AI community. The OSI’s commitment to fostering Open Source principles will continue to shape the future of AI development and innovation.