Linux Foundation Europe Newsletter - August 2024

LF Europe August newsletter is here! 

We hope you had a restful summer and are ready to jump back into the world of open source. This month, we have some notable updates to share. Paolo Mainardi offers insights into the evolution of open source generative AI, and Europe’s top Kubernetes experts are recognized through the Kubestronauts program.

We also introduce new sponsorship opportunities and provide details on upcoming events, including the Open Source Summit Europe and the LF Europe Member Summit. As we all settle back into our routines, let's reconnect and continue our work in advancing technology. Enjoy the newsletter!

Table of Contents

• News & announcements
• Updates from Linux Foundation Europe projects
• Top picks for reading/watching
• New publications and surveys from LF Research
• Training & certification deals
• Upcoming events
• Partner with Linux Foundation Europe for your next open source event
• Say “Hi!” to the LF Europe Team 👋
  
  

News & announcements 🗞️

Open Source Summit Europe

Join us at Open Source Summit Europe, where leaders and innovators in open source come together to shape the future of technology.
Linux Foundation Europe will be at the heart of the event, focusing on accelerating European innovation and driving impactful collaboration. Connect with us to explore how we are advancing goals like fostering research, expanding open source adoption, and supporting industry growth.

Let’s collaborate locally and innovate globally. See you there

LF Europe Member Summit 

Are you ready to shape the future of open source in Europe? Join us at the Linux Foundation Europe Member Summit in Vienna on September 19, 2024.

Gain insights into the state of open source in Europe, hear about responsible AI from industry leaders, and explore the benefits of open source collaboration in the public sector.

Sneak peek of key sessions to look forward to include:

• The Role of Open Source Foundations in Europe by Matthias Stürmer from Bern University of Applied Sciences.
• The Role of Openness in Responsible AI presented by Anni Lai and Stefano Maffulli, exploring openness in AI governance.
• Multi-Stakeholder Governance for Digital Public Goods featuring Daniel Goldscheider from the OpenWallet Foundation.

Interested in becoming a Linux Foundation Europe Member and/or attending the event? Please email us here.

The State of Open Source Generative AI for Developers

In his insightful guest blog, Paolo Mainardi, CTO at SparkFabrik and a member of the Linux Foundation Europe Advisory Board, reflects on the remarkable evolution of open source. He highlights the transformative journey from a time when closed-source software dominated the market to the current era where open source is a prevailing development model.

Paolo emphasizes,

"We are lucky to be technologists and scientists in this era when open source is the predominant development model, and everyone has the opportunity to participate in it."

This milestone was once deemed impossible as open source emerged during a period dominated by closed-source software. His blog delves into the state of open source generative AI for developers, exploring how open source has shifted from merely sharing code to becoming a crucial component in driving innovation and sustainability.

Read the full blog to understand how the open source movement has evolved and what it means for the future of generative AI in software development.

Europe's Kubernetes Experts Lead the Way

Europe leads the way in Kubernetes expertise with the highest number of Kubestronauts! The Kubestronaut program honors individuals who have achieved all CNCF Kubernetes certifications CKA, CKAD, CKS, KCNA, KCSA  and recognizes their commitment to mastering Kubernetes.

As a Kubestronaut, you'll receive exclusive benefits, including a unique jacket, a Credly badge, access to a private Slack channel, discounts on certifications and CNCF events, and more. For additional details, visit the Kubestronaut FAQ. 

Opportunities at LF Europe Roadshows

LF Europe Roadshows, held twice a year, are dynamic events designed to enhance collaboration within the European open source ecosystem. Spanning two days, these gatherings feature a mix of presentations and un-conference sessions on critical issues, hosted in different cities across Europe. For more details, check out the sponsorship prospectus on our resources page. Read the sponsorship prospectus on our resources page.

Why Sponsor?
Gain visibility and engage with key players in the open source community. Showcase your commitment to innovation and collaborate with industry leaders. Get in touch for more information

Updates from Linux Foundation Europe projects 🚀

Open Mobile Hub:

We’re excited to announce that Open Mobile Hub will be at REACT UNIVERSE CONF, happening from Sept 5-6, 2024 in Wrocław, Poland. This is a great opportunity to connect with us, explore our latest initiatives, and engage with the broader React and mobile development community.

Interested in learning more or meeting us there? Get in touch to arrange a chat!

OpenWallet Foundation:

The OpenWallet Foundation has recently expanded its global reach with new memberships and financial support. Open Banking UK and Taiwan have joined the Foundation, enhancing its international presence. Additionally, the Foundation has approved new projects, including the DCC/MIT Verifiable Credential Wallet, which will advance secure and interoperable digital credentials. Moreover, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Co-Develop have pledged financial support to the newly established OpenWallet Forum, underscoring a growing commitment to advancing open digital wallet technologies worldwide.

Servo:

• Utilizing self-hosted runners for Windows builds
• Enhancing devtools with note style inspection and attribute modification
• Introducing start and end values for flexbox align-self
• Updating XRSession to the latest specification
• Implementing initial support for flex-direction: column and column-reverse
• Adding IIRFilterNode support for web audio

Sylva:

👨‍🏫 After the summer break, Sylva will participate in major events and announcements:

• #1 Open Source Summit - Sylva Mini Summit (19th of September)
• #2 Network X (8th-10th of October)

🚀 Check our updated website here!

Join the Sylva Community - We're setting the stage for a smarter, more connected world. 🌐

Top picks for reading/watching 📚

✨Generative AI holds great potential but often lacks transparency and openness. The Model Openness Framework (MOF) aims to rate AI models based on their openness to prevent "openwashing" and guide safe adoption. Read more

✨Helping Build Open Source Talent Across the Globe More than 500 Winners from 111 Countries selected for the 2024 Shubhra Kar Linux Foundation Training Scholarship. Read more

✨Catch up on the latest insights from the United Nations' OSPOs for Good event held last month: "Open Source at The United Nations: Reflections on the OSPOs For Good Symposium and 'What’s Next?' Workshops," and "What’s Next for Open Source?: Workshop Highlights and Calls to Action to Inspire Progress for Global Sustainability"

✨Discover how the EU Cyber Resilience Act could reshape open source development, with a focus on the unique roles of manufacturers versus open source software stewards. Watch the video

✨Do you know EvilTux? 👀 This mischievous yet visionary character mixing video game lore and open source tech embodies the values of leadership and innovation with a playful twist. Discover more.

The European Public Sector Open Source Opportunity

The EU acknowledges the value of open source, yet the public sector lags in adopting open source software and contributing to the ecosystem. This report explores current trends, challenges, and opportunities for open source in the public sector, highlighting the need for a cultural shift to maximize its potential in Europe. It includes case studies and expert insights, offering resources and recommendations to boost public sector engagement and adoption. Read the full report for more details.

Are you familiar with how your organization is using genAI tools? Participate in our AI research by taking our latest survey! 

Generative AI is rapidly transforming the business landscape. To gain insights into how organizations are investing in and utilizing these technologies, LF Research, CNCF, and LF AI & Data are conducting a survey. This survey will explore use cases, adoption challenges, and the impact of open-source solutions.

Training & certification🐧

📈 Discover how open source can drive your 5G strategy with our updated free course, tailored for executives and IT leaders to unlock business advantages and competitive edge.

Upcoming events 🗓️

• LF Energy Summit in Brussels, Belgium 🇧🇪 Sep 5–6, 2024
• PromCon Europe in Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪 Sep 11–12, 2024
• Open Source Summit Europe in Austria 🇦🇹 Sep 16–18, 2024
• Linux Security Summit Europe in Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹 Sep 16–17, 2024
• SOSS Community Day Europe in Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹 Sep 19, 2024
• Cloud Foundry Day Europe in Karlsruhe, Germany 🇩🇪 Oct 9, 2024
• Cephalocon in Geneva, Switzerland🇨🇭Dec 4–5, 2024
• KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2025 in London, England 🇬🇧 Apr 1–4, 2025 
• KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱 Mar 23–26, 2026

To register for in-person attendance or virtual LF events, please view our full calendar of events here, and be sure to subscribe to our events newsletter. Check out our Flickr stream for photos of past events!

Partner with Linux Foundation Europe for your next open source event

Planning an open source event in Europe? Let Linux Foundation Europe amplify your event's reach! To our members, we offer promotion on our social channels and newsletters, connecting you with a broad audience of open source enthusiasts. 

Reach out if you'd like a Linux Foundation Europe team member to speak at your local open source event. 

As an independent, trusted supporter, and vendor-neutral hub for open source projects in Europe, we accelerate collaborative efforts, connecting public and private sectors and individual contributors. 

Say “Hi!” to the LF Europe Team 👋

If you’d like to stay updated with what we’re up to at LF Europe, subscribe to our monthly newsletter and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn & Discord.

We are excited to invite you to join the newly launched Bluesky channel of the Linux Foundation Europe for open source initiatives. We aim to create a platform where open source enthusiasts and experts can come together to discuss, collaborate, and work towards advancing the open source movement. Please check this link to follow. 

If you have ideas for new projects, please feel free to contact us at info@linuxfoundation.eu. We would be glad to explore how we can support your efforts. 

Finally, please also consider supporting LF Europe by participating (it’s free for existing Linux Foundation members, not for profit and public sector entities). 

On behalf of the LF Europe team, we look forward to hearing from you!