Open Source, the invisible engine of digital technology and a strategic challenge for tomorrow

Open source refers to a software development model based on transparency, collaboration, and the support of an active community. Unlike proprietary software, whose code is closed and controlled by a single company, it relies on code accessible to all, which can be freely modified and redistributed. This approach fosters innovation, enhances security, and ensures greater technological independence. Open source projects gather millions of volunteer contributors around them, which multiplies the resources available to the project and, by extension, its quality.

In our daily lives, open source is everywhere. The Wikipedia encyclopedia, Mozilla Firefox, LibreOffice, and Android—which is based on a Linux kernel—are all examples of widely adopted open source tools. Even the web’s infrastructure relies on open technologies, such as the MySQL and PostgreSQL databases, which support a large portion of online services.

In practical terms, without open source, our digital world would come to a halt. In fact, Linux powers 100% of supercomputers, web servers such as Apache and Nginx host the majority of websites, and CMS platforms like WordPress and Drupal drive most of our websites. Even the digital giants depend on it: Microsoft integrates Linux into Azure, Google builds Android on a Linux kernel, and Apple uses open source components for macOS and iOS.

In this regard, Microsoft’s evolution clearly illustrates the dependence of proprietary solutions on open source. Initially committed to a closed model with software like Windows and Office, the company had to adapt to the rise of open source. Faced with the dominance of technologies such as Linux and Kubernetes in the cloud and server infrastructures, it changed strategy. Today, Microsoft has become a major player by acquiring GitHub—the main collaborative platform for code storage and sharing among developers—by opening up some of its technologies (like .NET), and by integrating Linux into its ecosystem (Windows Subsystem for Linux). More broadly, the big digital companies no longer just tolerate open source: they support and adopt it, recognizing its efficiency and the growing adoption by users.

Contrary to some common misconceptions, open source is not just for idealistic developers. It is a viable business model, representing a rapidly growing market of already more than 5.5 billion euros in France and 100 billion dollars worldwide. Companies are increasingly adopting it, and for good reason: it offers flexibility, technological independence, and enhanced security that proprietary software often struggles to guarantee.

Although open source software is freely available, it still supports a market. Integrating open source components, configuring, and customizing them requires technical expertise. This is the role taken on by free software service companies (SSLL), such as bluedrop.fr. SSLLs account for 90% of the sector's revenue.

The government also encourages its use through various initiatives, such as: 

• The circular on the use of open-source software in the administration;
• A reference catalog of open-source software;
• The action plan for open-source software and digital commons.

Many local authorities and public organizations have chosen open-source solutions to reduce their dependence on large tech companies and support digital sovereignty. In fact, we regularly see a strong demand for open source in public procurement.

Open source has numerous advantages for both public and private organizations:

• Technological independence: No reliance on costly licenses or vendors who can change their terms overnight.
• Customization and scalability: Unlike proprietary solutions, open source allows for precise adaptation to specific needs.
• Reduced costs: Lower license fees, with resources pooled through dynamic communities.
• Innovation driver: By collaborating on large-scale open technologies, the best ideas emerge.

Let’s take a case we know well: Drupal. This open-source CMS, which powers millions of sites around the world, perfectly embodies the strength of open-source collaboration. 

Driven by an active community, it boasts proven robustness and allows the creation of complex web platforms with unparalleled flexibility. Drupal is constantly evolving to meet the demands of an ever-changing web, and its community contributes to the ongoing improvement of the platform, making each new version even more efficient and secure.

At bluedrop.fr, we have made it the cornerstone of our expertise since 2004. For years, we have been actively contributing to this ecosystem: module development, participation in events, community engagement... And it’s not just out of passion (even though that’s certainly there); it’s also because we are convinced that open source is the future of digital technology.

AI relies heavily on open source frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Hugging Face, which allow researchers and developers to innovate freely. However, transparency around the data used to train these AIs remains a challenge.

Furthermore, following ChatGPT, new open source conversational agents have recently emerged, such as DeepSeek, a conversational agent developed by a Chinese startup, which quickly rose to the top of downloads on the App Store. Mistral AI, a French startup, also made a splash with the release of its conversational agent "Le Chat." The founders of Mistral AI aim to democratize AI by focusing on open source and European technological independence.

In this sense, the French government supports an open source artificial intelligence (AI) model, an initiative aimed at limiting the rapid rise of the digital divide and the inequalities between those who master AI and those who use it. This model is particularly relevant in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, industry, and many others, where AI can bring significant benefits.

Economically, supporting an open source model aims to diversify the AI market and recreate competition. By making AIs available and modifiable for free, companies can adapt them to their needs without relying on a few tech giants. This approach is particularly advantageous for players who do not have billions of euros to invest in AI, thus encouraging cooperation and openness to accelerate the development of AI at a lower cost.

Although it rests on a fragile balance—between volunteer contributions, corporate investment, and institutional support—open source remains a key driver for digital sovereignty. It offers an alternative to the excesses of major platforms, as evidenced by recent decisions from figures like Mark Zuckerberg with Meta or Elon Musk with X, which show how centralized and private digital systems can impose radical choices on users and governments. Betting on open source means reclaiming control over our tools and ensuring that innovation benefits everyone, rather than just a handful of dominant players.

At bluedrop.fr, we made this choice a long time ago. We freely publish our work on drupal.org and on our Github repository. For example, we have released a functional and maintained version of the Aegir Drupal site factory management console. We are currently preparing the release of a new graphical interface for managing Drupal site factories (scheduled for release in the first half of 2025).

Contact us if you would like to discuss further.

Sources: 

• Open source, the shadow army of software… and Artificial Intelligence (LeMonde)

• Artificial Intelligence Summit: Why France's "open source" battle is shaking up the AI sector (FranceInfo)

Worth revisiting: Internet or the Sharing Revolution, a film by Philippe Borrel (Arte Boutique).