WHAT’S GOING ON

Behind-The-Scenes

In the e3 Webcasting Studio


July 27, 2025 Tim Arthur

From June 23-25, 2025, the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO, buzzed with energy as thousands of open source enthusiasts, developers, technologists, and community leaders gathered for Open Source Summit North America 2025 (OSSNA), hosted by The Linux Foundation. This premier vendor-neutral conference, one of the largest open source events in North America, delivered three days of collaboration, learning, and innovation, showcasing the latest advancements in open source technologies and communities. With over 225 sessions across 15 tracks and 13 co-located events, the summit was a dynamic hub for exchanging ideas and shaping the future of open source. For those who couldn’t attend or want to revisit the highlights, over 250 session videos are now available on The Linux Foundation YouTube Channel.

A Diverse and Packed Agenda

OSSNA 2025 featured an expansive lineup of 15 tracks, covering critical areas of the open source ecosystem, including:

  • Linux and Embedded Linux Conference, diving into kernel development and embedded systems.
  • Cloud & Containers, exploring advancements in Kubernetes, cloud-native tools, and edge computing.
  • Open AI + Data, addressing the intersection of open source and artificial intelligence.
  • Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility, focusing on fostering diverse and inclusive communities.
  • OSPOCon and Open Source Leadership, tackling governance, sustainability, and open source program office strategies.
  • Safety-critical Software, Standards & Specifications, Technical Documentation, and Zephyr, among others, highlighting specialized domains.

The conference also included 13 co-located events, such as CHAOSScon, Confidential Computing Mini Summit, and cdCon, providing focused venues for niche communities to collaborate. From keynote presentations to lightning talks, tutorials, and Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions, attendees had countless opportunities to engage with thought leaders and peers.

Keynote Highlights

The keynote stage at Bluebird Ballroom 1C set the tone for the event with inspiring talks from industry pioneers. Notable sessions included:

  • Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of The Linux Foundation, kicking off the summit with opening remarks on the state of open source and its critical role in global innovation.
  • Karim Marucchi (CEO, Crowd Favorite) and Joost de Valk (Founder, Yoast) discussing “Rebuilding Trust: A FAIR Path Forward for WordPress and Open Source,” emphasizing ethical and sustainable practices in open source communities.
  • Frank Nagle, Assistant Professor at Harvard Business School and Chief Economist at The Linux Foundation, presenting “The Economic Value of Open Source,” highlighting its transformative impact on industries.
  • Brian Chambers (Chief Architect, Chick-fil-A) and Michael Henry (Chief of Information Technology, Secretariat of the Air Force), sharing insights on “Living on the Edge: From Chicken Sandwiches to the Danger Zone,” showcasing innovative Kubernetes deployments at the edge.
  • Mike Smith (Staff Software Engineer, Google) introducing the “Agent2Agent (A2A) Protocol,” sparking discussions on new frameworks for AI-driven collaboration.

These keynotes underscored the summit’s role as a strategic checkpoint for the open source movement, addressing not only technical advancements but also governance, economics, and community-building.

Standout Sessions and Themes

The 250+ session videos now available on The Linux Foundation’s YouTube channel capture the depth and breadth of OSSNA 2025. Some highlights include:

  • Brian Chambers (Chick-fil-A) detailing the rollout of Kubernetes clusters to over 2,000 restaurants for IoT and edge applications, demonstrating real-world enterprise use cases (June 23, 10:30 AM, Bluebird Ballroom 1C).
  • Joohi (AMD) sharing advancements in ROCm, AMD’s open-source AI software stack for Radeon and Ryzen, and its impact on enterprise AI across global markets (June 23, 10:00 AM, Bluebird Ballroom 1C).
  • Phil (Ericsson Software Technology) discussing open source contributions across Linux, OpenStack, Kubernetes, and ONAP, reflecting Ericsson’s commitment to collaborative innovation (June 23, 10:30 AM, Bluebird Ballroom 1C).
  • Dotan Horovits (AWS) presenting a lightning talk, “From Fork to Foundation: The OpenSearch Journey to the Linux Foundation,” tracing the evolution of OpenSearch as a community-driven project (June 23, Bluebird Ballroom 3C).
  • Shuah Khan (The Linux Foundation) reflecting on “Six Years of Empowering Open Source Communities,” offering insights into community health and sustainability (June 23, Bluebird Ballroom 3G).
  • Jonathan Corbet (LWN.net) delivering “Three Decades in Kernelland,” a retrospective on the Linux kernel’s evolution and its enduring impact (June 23, Bluebird Ballroom 2D).

Sessions like these highlighted key trends, including the rise of AI in open source, the expansion of edge computing, and the importance of inclusive community practices. The Zephyr track was a standout for embedded developers, with sessions exploring security, tooling, and real-world applications of the Zephyr RTOS. Meanwhile, CHAOSScon offered hands-on discussions about measuring open source project health, and cdCon advanced continuous delivery practices.

Community and Collaboration

Beyond the technical sessions, OSSNA 2025 fostered a vibrant community atmosphere. Networking events like the Attendee Reception, Tux Trek, Women and Non-Binary in Open Source Lunch, and Speed Networking created spaces for meaningful connections. The Solutions Showcase highlighted cutting-edge tools and services from sponsors like Amazon Web Services, Ericsson, Google, IBM Cloudability, OpenSearch, and Red Hat, while mini-summits like the LF AI & Data Mini Summit and FreePBX World Summit deepened engagement with specific projects.The Linux Foundation’s commitment to accessibility was evident through its scholarship program and Travel Fund, enabling diverse participation from developers and community members who might not otherwise have attended. The emphasis on equity and inclusion, reinforced by initiatives like the National Center for Women in Technology (NCWIT) online course on diversity, ensured that OSSNA 2025 was a welcoming space for all.

Relive the Experience

Missed a session or want to dive deeper? The Linux Foundation has made over 250 session videos available on its YouTube channel, allowing you to explore keynotes, technical talks, and panel discussions at your own pace. Session slides from speakers are also accessible via the event schedule for those who shared them, providing additional resources to complement the videos.

Looking Ahead

Open Source Summit North America 2025 reinforced its position as the premier gathering for the global open source community, bringing together coders, community managers, legal experts, and industry leaders to shape the future of open source. From advancements in Linux and AI to discussions on governance and diversity, the event highlighted the collaborative spirit that drives open source innovation. As Jim Zemlin noted, “Open Source Summit is a fundamental gathering place for exchanging ideas across projects and meeting all of the people who make open source communities work.”Mark your calendars for future Linux Foundation events, including Open Source Summit in Hyderabad, India (August 5); Amsterdam, Netherland (August 25-29); Seoul, South Korea (November 4-5). and other global gatherings, to continue the momentum. For now, head to The Linux Foundation YouTube channel to catch up on the incredible content from OSSNA 2025 and stay inspired by the open source movement!


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