IEEE CIS & CS Schenectady Chapters Distinguished Lecture on "Open-Source AI: Impact and Implications at the Edges"
"Open-Source AI: Impact and Implications at the Edges" by Prof. Wesley Turner, RPI
Open-source software and artificial intelligence (AI) are transformative forces in modern computing, shaping software development and deployment. Their synergy is evident in projects like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Grok-1, all licensed under Apache-2.0, alongside OpenAI's gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b (as of August 5, 2025). Other AI engines have varying degrees of openness. Still, what does it mean to be open-source in the context of Artificial Intelligence, and how do we reconcile the use of licensed data in the generation and training of open-source models? In this talk, we will explore some of the issues that arise in the intersection of open-source and artificial intelligence. We will look at current recommendations from the OSI (Open-Source Initiative) on the principles which need to guide open-source AI, and we will discuss the implications of using AI-generated text and code. By addressing these emerging issues, we aim to spark discussion and critical thinking about the future of open-source AI.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
-
Add Event to Calendar
Loading virtual attendance info...
- 1601 15th St
- Troy, New York
- United States 12180
- Building: Academy Hall Auditorium
- Room Number: 3rd floor
- Click here for Map
- Contact Event Hosts
- Co-sponsored by IEEE CIS Schenectady Chapter
- Survey: Fill out the survey
- Starts 28 August 2025 04:00 AM UTC
- Ends 10 September 2025 08:00 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Wes of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Open-Source AI: Impact and Implications at the Edges
Open-source software and artificial intelligence (AI) are transformative forces in modern computing, shaping software development and deployment. Their synergy is evident in projects like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Grok-1, all licensed under Apache-2.0, alongside OpenAI's gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b (as of August 5, 2025). Other AI engines have varying degrees of openness. Still, what does it mean to be open-source in the context of Artificial Intelligence, and how do we reconcile the use of licensed data in the generation and training of open-source models? In this talk, we will explore some of the issues that arise in the intersection of open-source and artificial intelligence. We will look at current recommendations from the OSI (Open-Source Initiative) on the principles which need to guide open-source AI, and we will discuss the implications of using AI generated text and code. By addressing these emerging issues, we aim to spark discussion and critical thinking about the future of open-source AI.
Biography:
Wesley Turner is a Professor of Practice in the Computer Science Department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as well as the Director of The Rensselaer Center for Open Source (RCOS). In this role, he teaches a project course that grants students course credit for creating or contributing to open-source projects. The course has grown to a typical enrollment of 300-400 students each semester and is now being required for incoming freshmen as part of their graduation requirements. Prior to joining the faculty at RPI, Professor Turner worked in industry on various open-source projects at GE, Kitware, and SimQuest. He was the Director of Open-Source Operations at OSEHRA and is a past board member for the Apereo Organization, a prominent open-source community.
Email: