Over the past two decades, I’ve witnessed firsthand how open-source software has quietly become the engine driving digital transformation across industries. Once considered an alternative and, to some, a fringe movement, it is now integral to how companies and governments innovate, scale and adapt to rapidly changing environments.
What makes open source so essential is its transparency and freedom. Businesses and governments alike can adapt open-source solutions to their specific needs, driving continuous improvement without being constrained by proprietary software. This adaptability has been crucial in enabling businesses to transform digitally at their own pace, without relying on the restrictive terms often found in proprietary software.
I’ve been deeply involved in the open-source world through my work with XWiki and CryptPad, both of which serve as collaborative tools for knowledge management and privacy-focused collaboration. While these products have given me unique insights into its potential, the most exciting part of this journey has been seeing how this software is reshaping industries—often in ways I couldn’t have predicted when I started out.
Real-World Impact
Take, for instance, government institutions that need to modernize their services while remaining transparent to their citizens. In France, various public institutions have implemented open-source platforms to manage knowledge and collaboration across departments. This not only reduces costs but also gives governments full control over their data—a critical factor in maintaining digital sovereignty.
In the financial sector, global banks like ING and Goldman Sachs are using technologies such as Kubernetes and Apache Kafka to enhance their data processing capabilities and orchestrate cloud operations. This allows them to deliver better customer experiences while maintaining the security and compliance required in highly regulated industries.
Meanwhile, in health care, platforms like OpenMRS are revolutionizing how patient data is managed. These systems are flexible, scalable, and crucially, privacy-focused. During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care providers were able to rapidly scale their services, proving that open-source solutions are essential for adapting to large-scale crises.
Key Trends
As I see it, there are a few trends that will shape the future of open source and its role in digital transformation.
Modular and composable architectures have become essential for building flexible tech stacks. I’ve watched companies use open source to mix components with proprietary systems, creating solutions that fit their exact needs. This approach gives teams the freedom to move fast, solve specific problems, and avoid being locked into a rigid system. To me, this is the real strength —it’s about giving businesses control to build what works best for them, on their own terms.
Another crucial trend is digital sovereignty. Today, concerns about privacy and data control are at the forefront, especially here in Europe. Open source provides a clear path to independence. When you control your infrastructure, you’re not at the mercy of external vendors who can change the rules. For me, this is a fundamental argument for open source—it’s not just about using the software, it’s about owning your digital future and staying in control.
Privacy by design is something I’m particularly passionate about, especially with our work on CryptPad, an encrypted collaboration platform. I’ve seen the shift toward privacy-first solutions as more people realize how much of their data is harvested by mainstream tools. With open source, privacy isn’t a feature you tack on later—it’s built into the foundation. It’s a mindset. Open source empowers users to protect their data and trust the software they use. I believe we’ll continue to see more companies adopt privacy-centric, open-source alternatives as this awareness grows.
Finally, open source and AI are coming together in exciting ways. At XWiki, we’re exploring this through WAISE, which integrates large language models into open-source platforms. AI can make knowledge management smarter, and when combined with open source, it offers both efficiency and transparency. This mix of AI and open source is already transforming industries, and for me, it’s the best of both worlds—driving innovation while ensuring organizations stay in control of their technology.
The Community Advantage
What truly sets open source apart is the community that supports it. Developers, contributors and users collaborate to continuously improve the software, creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives. This collaborative spirit accelerates the digital transformation process, enabling businesses to experiment, innovate, and adapt quickly.
In the end, it is more than just software—it’s a way of working that’s agile, transparent and human. For organizations embarking on their digital transformation journeys, open source offers the freedom, flexibility, and community support to navigate an increasingly complex digital world.
After 20 years in open source, I’m more convinced than ever that it will continue to drive transformation across industries. By empowering organizations to adapt and innovate, open source is paving the way for a future that’s more open, collaborative, and connected.
