version 0.0.4
Note: This document is made of three parts: A preamble, stating the intentions of this document; the Definition of Open Source AI itself; and a checklist to evaluate licenses.
This document follows the definition of AI system adopted by the Organization for Economic and Co-operation Development (OECD):
An AI system is a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments. Different AI systems vary in their levels of autonomy and adaptiveness after deployment.
More information about definitions of AI systems on OSI’s blog.
Preamble
Why we need Open Source Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Open Source has demonstrated that massive benefits accrue to everyone when you remove the barriers to learning, using, sharing and improving software systems. These benefits are the result of using licenses that adhere to the Open Source Definition. The benefits can be distilled to autonomy, transparency, and collaborative improvement.
Everyone needs these benefits in AI. We need essential freedoms to enable users to build and deploy AI systems that are reliable and transparent.
Out of scope issues
The Open Source AI Definition doesn’t say how to develop and deploy an AI system that is ethical, trustworthy or responsible, although it doesn’t prevent it. What makes an AI system ethical, responsible, or trustworthy or effective is a separate discussion. We support efforts to work on these issues, including through appropriate government regulation.
What is Open Source AI
To be Open Source, an AI system needs to be available under legal terms that grant the freedoms to:
- Use the system for any purpose and without having to ask for permission.
- Study how the system works and inspect its components.
- Modify the system for any purpose, including to change its output
- Share the system for others to use with or without modifications, for any purpose.
[Provide an example, based on machine learning?]
Checklist to evaluate licenses
TODO