Digital Public Goods - Incentivizing Collaboration

Digital Public Goods are often celebrated as open-source software, open data, open AI models, open standards, and open content. However, true public goods require more than openness—they demand active community governance, collective stewardship, and responsible contributions to thrive as shared resources.

While proprietary software sustains itself through licensing, support, and vendor lock-in, open-source software relies on a delicate balance of professional firms, organizational backing, and dedicated enthusiasts. The open model has fueled flexibility, innovation, and the global adoption of open technologies.

Yet, the rapid growth of "open" has not been matched by an equivalent rise in contributions or investments in maintenance. Discussions often prioritize licensing over the essential question: How do we, as a community, ensure that digital public goods are sustainable? This talk explores the responsibility of contributors, organizations, and users in building a resilient ecosystem for open technologies.