European Commission cuts funding support for Free Software projects - European Digital Rights (EDRi)
edri.org
The Next Generation Internet initiative has supported Free Software projects with funding and technical assistance since 2018. Despite its proven success, the European Commission made the decision to cut this funding in the current draft for the Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programme.
  • pnutzh4x0r@lemmy.ndlug.orgEnglish
    0·
    3 months ago

    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.

    • Ephera@lemmy.ml
      0·
      3 months ago

      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.