Applying the lessons of open source to generative AI [Video]

The excitement and turmoil surrounding generative AI is not unlike the early days of open source, or the Wild West. We can resolve the uncertainty and confusion.

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Most people can sing “Happy Birthday” by heart. But do you know how you learned it? Who first shared it with you? Who wrote it? You have the lyrics and the melody, and can teach others, but you probably have no idea where it came from.

That effectively describes “the rub” with generative AI, and it’s a problem for the individuals and organizations that use it. Much like the early days of open source, and software licensing in general, generative AI is uncharted territory, it’s exciting, and there’s a lot to learn.

Even between deciding to develop this column and sitting down to actually write it, dozens and dozens of news stories distracted me—and further confused the AI issues I was contemplating—not least a story about OpenAI CEO …