The Linux Foundation has published two reports on open source software in 2025.
According to the new Open Source as Europe’s Strategic Advantage report from The Linux Foundation, open source software (OSS) plays a strategic key role in the digital sovereignty of AI worldwide. A second report states that Europe is lagging behind in terms of open source strategy, adoption, and clear guidelines.
read also
“With sufficient maturity, Open Source can play a key role in global AI sovereignty”
No clear approach
About two-thirds of European companies opt for OSS operating systems, more than half use it for cloud and web development. The importance of OSS is also growing in AI and cybersecurity, and the benefits are clearly visible: higher productivity (63%), less vendor lock-in (62%), and lower costs (58%).
Yet a clear approach and maturity are often lacking. Barely 34 percent have an OSS strategy and 22 percent have a team focused on open source development. Interestingly, employees seem to be more convinced of the power of OSS than management.
Europe needs to wake up
“Many public and private sectors clearly see the value of open source, not only as a driving force behind innovation and vendor independence, but as a foundation for digital sovereignty,” says Gabriel Columbro of Linux Foundation Europe. “Without investments, interest from top managers, and a favorable business climate, Europe risks missing important opportunities.”
Hilary Carter, Senior VP at Linux Foundation, adds: “We have sufficient talent and adoption, but not strategic involvement.”
Open source AI
Open source AI is also experiencing strong growth and is quickly approaching commercial alternatives in terms of performance. Europe has a vibrant ecosystem of AI research and startups, but lacks ambition and investment power to truly break through. Open AI development could nevertheless be a trump card for European values, competitiveness, and independence from American and Chinese players.
According to the report, 97 percent of respondents find sovereign AI strategically relevant, especially in terms of controlling data (72%) and national security (69%). 82 percent of companies are already building customized AI solutions, rising to 90 percent in the US. However, Europe remains too dependent on foreign technology, particularly from the US and China.
read also
The Hidden Costs of Free Software
This is a difficult issue: too much focus on one’s own region can create a “Europe Only” mentality, which undermines the open nature of OSS. Global collaboration is therefore essential for AI sovereignty.
“We need collaboration that nurtures AI sovereignty. Isolation gets us nowhere. Open source AI enables governments to innovate collectively instead of having to start from scratch,” states Mark Collier.
Challenges and recommendations
The report points to challenges such as data quality and availability, the lack of technical skills among employees, and geopolitical tensions that undermine general collaboration. The Linux Foundation makes several recommendations to strengthen AI sovereignty:
- Invest in open source AI infrastructure and frameworks
- Grow AI talent through targeted and specialized training
- Support open standards
- Allow international collaboration without losing national autonomy
Conclusion
OSS offers a powerful alternative to big tech monopolies. To truly reap the benefits of global collaboration, Europe must first invest in maturity, strategy, and talent. Only then can open source evolve into a foundation for AI sovereignty.
read also