There are no "Degrees of Open": why Openness is binary

a year ago

Openness is binary, not a spectrum, especially in Open Source AI.
Freedom is at the core of Open Source and is inherently binary—you either have it or you don't.
Software with usage, modification, or redistribution restrictions isn't partially open—it's not Open Source at all.
The Open Source Definition clearly distinguishes between Open Source and non-Open Source based on granted freedoms.
AI systems must meet the same Open Source criteria, including access to training data and unrestricted usage.
Open Source projects can vary widely in structure and governance but must uphold fundamental freedoms.
The 'lost decade' of Open Source warns against allowing commercial repackaging without community contribution.
Upholding Open Source principles in AI is non-negotiable—there's no 'partially open.'

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