Tara Tarakiyee – Why Has Hardware Infrastructure Diverged From Open Software? #FOSSBack

This talk by Tara Tarakiyee delves into the reasons why hardware infrastructure has diverged significantly from the advances seen in open software. It examines the structural barriers like high capital requirements for tool licensing and foundry access, which inhibit hardware from adopting similar open collaboration models that have benefited software development. The speaker argues that simply improving policies won't suffice; entirely new institutional frameworks are needed to nurture open hardware ecosystems. The session addresses crucial issues such as the lack of organizational forms that can support open hardware endeavors and the complex revenue models that differ significantly from those in the software realm. This insightful discussion is essential for those involved in digital sovereignty, open-source software sustainability, and the quest to enhance hardware development's open nature.