Biden Administration Kicks Off Process Which Could Lead to Restrictions on Open-Source Software

If you’re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. US President Joe Biden has decided that it is a good idea to try going after the open source software development model – specifically (for now?) in the context of AI. The Biden administration is doing this via an executive order, issued at the end of October, which states that the goal is to create AI industry standards and ensure safety of citizens, government agencies, and – companies. Some observers are interpreting this as an attempt to restrict open-source AI, and essentially harness the power of the technology by centralizing it in the hands of a small number of powerful corporations with closed, proprietary development models. Although the executive order is said to be long on words, yet managing to remain short on detail, making the whole situation currently fairly confusing, what is understood from it is making some prominent figures in the industry raise concerns about the possible negative consequences on innovation, and creation of monopolies. Thus Martin Casado of the Andreessen Horowitz VC firm – joined by a number of academics and AI-based technology founders – wrote in a post on X, “We believe strongly that open source is the only way to keep software safe and free from monopoly. Please help amplify.” Like so many controversial initiatives and decisions coming from the current White House, this executive order is said to be overly broad, and putting startups and smaller companies in…Biden Administration Kicks Off Process Which Could Lead to Restrictions on Open-Source Software