05-31, 15:00–15:50 (Europe/Brussels), Kleine spoel
What will the Internet of the future look like? The Free Software Foundation Europe envisions an Internet that is accessible and diverse, and respects the fundamental rights. We believe that Free Software is key to accomplish this vision, so that all people, regardless of their background, are able to use the Internet as an effective tool to achieve their full potential.
However there are several hurdles in the way for us achieving that. Big tech and market concentration is one the most serious threats for a decentralized Internet. In the realm of AI, "open washing" is also a concerning issue when AI developing companies are calling their products open but many of them are not compatible with software freedom.
This talk will guide you through several initiatives the FSFE has been conducting in the last years to overcome these challenges, such as:
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Device Neutrality
Our digital devices should be neutral em relation to the software we run on them. Device manufacturers and vendors should not dictate which software we should run. Instead, we should be empowered to enjoy software freedom in our devices! This talk will focus on the achievements of the "Digital Markets Act (DMA)", a recent law aimed to level the playing field between big tech and small tech. The FSFE has been working with policy makers to enforce this law in a Free Software friendly way. -
Free Software and AI
We will tackle the issue with open washing in AI and what are the recommendation the FSFE has published in order to avoid misconceptions regarding software freedom and AI products who do not respect the 4 freedoms of software. -
The Next Generation Internet
Finally, we will dive into the project funded by the EU that aims to change the landscape of the Internet with Free Software. With more than 400 software projects working in several key areas of the Internet, the NGI is a bold initiative to develop alternatives that are not dependent on the monopolistic control of big tech.
The audience will learn about policy, legal and technical developments related to the future of the Internet and Free Software
Dr. Lucas Lasota is a researcher, lecturer, qualified lawyer (Brazil) and project manager in the field of IT, telecommunications and contract law. His research focuses on regulatory measures of digital technologies and their impact on individual and collective rights, as well as on internet governance, telecommunications and international contract law. In his work for the Free Software Foundation Europe, he coordinates the Device Neutrality and Router Freedom initiatives. He has been involved in the enforcement of the DMA and has published in the realm of AI and Free Software.