The reasons for this shift in budget away from funding Free Software and the NGI initiative seems to be an allocation of more funds for AI, leaving internet infrastructure by the wayside. Meanwhile, the EC has thus far declined to comment to share its official reasoning for striking this funding from its budget.
Sigh. It appears that they are chasing after the latest "shiny" thing instead of investing in existing infrastructure. Not surprising, but disappointing.
It annoys me in particular, because AI builds on top of open-source pretty much in every aspect. If they're just going to use this money to buy LLM licenses, that money will not go to the people doing most of the work.
Sigh. It appears that they are chasing after the latest "shiny" thing instead of investing in existing infrastructure. Not surprising, but disappointing.
It annoys me in particular, because AI builds on top of open-source pretty much in every aspect. If they're just going to use this money to buy LLM licenses, that money will not go to the people doing most of the work.