Introduction: Open Source, the Hidden Engine of Technological Innovation, But Is Sustainable Support Possible?
Many of the tools that make our daily lives convenient are powered by open source software. However, ironically, public agencies and institutions struggle with the continuous support and maintenance of these open source projects. This article will delve into the causes of this phenomenon and explore changes for a better future.
Open source software encourages transparency, sharing, and collaboration, paving the way for technological advancement and innovation. This aligns with democratic values such as information accessibility, information verification ability, and participation in the decision-making process. The importance of open source software is particularly highlighted in the field of artificial intelligence.
1. Innovation Driven by Open Source: A New Wave in AI Model Development
The paradigm of large language model (LLM) development is changing. LLM development, which used to be possible only in closed research labs, is now being publicly released as open source, creating a collaborative development environment. This demonstrates the ability to create more powerful and advanced models through transparency and sharing. Many of today’s most impressive AI systems are created by combining the strengths of multiple open models. Open source software plays a key role in LLM development, and successful examples such as the DeepSeek model support this trend.
2. The Passion of 1985: A Journey to Calculate π
Let’s rewind the story a bit to 1985. The relationship between the circumference and radius of a circle is expressed as the radius multiplied by 2π. This seemingly simple relationship is not easy to implement in practice. π contains an infinite number of decimal places (3.1415926535…). As computer performance improved, we were able to calculate more digits of π, and when I was 16, I made efforts to write a program to calculate this number. I wanted to know more digits than the 10 digits listed in my school textbook.
It took a significant amount of time to develop the program, but eventually I succeeded. In November 1985, I saw the first 200 digits of π displayed on the screen. At the time, there was no screen saver on the computer, so I couldn’t leave it even for a moment to check if the code was running properly. The exhilaration of that moment will be unforgettable. Although computer technology has advanced dramatically over time, the motivation to create something new and produce better results remains.
3. The Role of Public Agencies: Responsibility for Open Source Software
Today, tens of thousands of programmers worldwide create open source software, making it faster and more secure. These developers contribute to open source software through voluntary efforts, and public agencies greatly benefit from these efforts. Open source software plays a crucial role in providing essential foundations for our society. But are we rewarding them accordingly?
Open source software refers to software that allows users to use, modify, and distribute the source code under a specific license. Various licenses such as MIT License, Apache 2.0, GNU GPL, and BSD License exist, each imposing different conditions on the use and sharing of the software. Data and models can also be shared through open licenses, which increases the importance of open source products, particularly in large language models. When using open source tools such as QGIS and WebODM to create and analyze maps in the field of geographic information, we can feel the value of open source software.
4. What Does Open Source Mean to Us?
My job involves preparing data for map creation and making maps. To do this, I need geographic data and tools to help create maps. Two of my favorite tools are QGIS and WebODM. QGIS empowers users to visualize, analyze, and interpret geospatial data with a user-friendly interface and various plugin support. It is a powerful alternative to Esri’s commercial program, ArcGIS, providing a variety of functions such as map creation, spatial analysis, database integration, and advanced geographic processing workflows. WebODM (Web OpenDroneMap) specializes in processing drone images into geospatial datasets. WebODM is used to create high-resolution orthophotos, 3D models, and elevation maps from drone data, which is particularly useful for environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, urban planning, and disaster response.
In addition to QGIS and WebODM, a variety of open source tools contribute to this ecosystem, addressing various needs such as advanced geographic modeling and data analysis, web mapping servers (GeoServer/Mapserver), programming (Python), databases (PostgreSQL), and web mapping (Leaflet). I read posts from colleagues around the world using geographic open source software to help them do their jobs and am constantly adding new tools to my collection. These tools demonstrate the power of open source innovation, driving technological advancements through global collaboration.
5. The Problem: Why Are We Free Riders?
Developing open source software incurs various costs, including time, hardware, internet access, and programming expertise. Without open source, the cost of developing technology would be higher, security would be weaker, and innovation would be greatly limited. However, public agencies often tend to neglect contributions to open source. Sometimes it is due to budget constraints, and sometimes it is because it does not align with the agency’s goals. No one complains because we don’t know how much open source software enriches our lives.
6. Improvement Measures: Policies and Efforts of Pioneers
The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) plays a central role in promoting interoperability by developing open standards such as Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS). These standards are widely used for environmental monitoring, urban planning, and emergency response, supporting public agencies in effectively utilizing open geographic tools. The Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) supports and promotes open source geographic software such as QGIS, GRASS GIS, and GeoServer, and fosters collaboration through events such as FOSS4G. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) develops platforms such as the Environmental Data Explorer and the Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS/Water) to provide open access to data on biodiversity, climate change, and pollution, supporting informed decision-making. The Digital Public Assets Alliance (DPGA) aims to promote the development of open source software, open data, and open standards. The European Commission’s Open Source Observatory (OSOR) provides a platform for sharing knowledge, case studies, and best practices to support public sector adoption of open source solutions.
7. Conclusion: It’s Time to Start Again
We all must refrain from sparing support for open source software. We must emphasize the merits of open source in public discussions and strive to explicitly include open source in official documents and strategies. Just as with my passion in 1985, we can create a better future with a new attitude and practice.