Matthias Kirschner: Software freedom in the age of AI

Technical distribution of power. Who controls all the tools? Just a few persons? Now there is so much concentration on AI, which is important, but don't ignore the other topics.

The FSFE (Free Software Foundation Europe, which I am part of) wants to empower users. We have some goals for 2028.

1. All public funding for software should be free software only. See also https://publiccode.eu. Public money? Public code! We should also connect with each other about these topics. Talk about what you can already do with current frameworks.

2. All regulatory frameworks should encourage the use of open and free software.

3. Everyone should be able to install or remove any software on any of their devices. Manufacters challenge this. For example Apple says an iPhone is not a computer, so not all rules should apply. And they have lots of billions on their bank account, and we are an NGO. So support us! Other campaign from us: Router Freedom. You should be able to install your own router at home, instead of being forced into the router from your network operator. And https://endof10.org, about extended support for Windows 10 which ends two weeks from now.

LLMs are challenging copyright. Since 2006 we have been organising legal and licensing workshops. See for example news items tagged "legal corner". Also the reuse tool that checks your licensing and reports possible problems.

Young people love to tinker, experiment, and code with Free Software as the default. We have a program: Youth Hacking for Freedom, see https://yh4f.org. I wrote a book: Ada and Zangemann, a tale of software, skateboards, and raspberry icecream. See https://ada.fsfe.org and also a movie at https://ada.fsfe.org/movie

14th of February: I love Free Software Day.

Many small people, in many small places, do many small things that can alter the face of the world. We don't have to wait until we feel ready to become the next hero. You may feel your small things don't make a difference, when for example there are so many wars out there. And some people want you to think that way. They want you to feel powerless against those high-level problems. That is a challenge. If you don't do anything, then what? So critical thinking.

Thank you to your contributions to software freedom!