About this talk
This talk, presented by Wolfgang Gehring from Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation at Open Community Experience 2026 in Brussels, delves into the significance of digital sovereignty and the crucial role free and open source software (FOSS) plays in mitigating systemic dependencies. The speaker examines the risks associated with reliance on external providers for critical digital infrastructure, emphasizing the need for organizations to maintain control over their data and software to ensure resilience against global market vulnerabilities.
Key domains of sovereignty explored include cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and supply chain management, highlighting how FOSS can enable transparency and reduce vendor lock-in. The session also addresses the complexities of transitioning from proprietary systems to open source ecosystems, while offering practical advice on fostering active participation in open source projects and long-term strategic planning for technology adoption. This discussion underscores the importance of coordinated investment in open digital infrastructure and the impact of these decisions on organizational and governmental technology strategies.
