FOSDEM 2026: Europe’s Premier Open Source Gathering Tackles AI, Sustainability, and Digital Sovereignty

The Free and Open Source Software Developers’ European Meeting (FOSDEM) returns to Brussels, Belgium, from January 31 to February 1, 2026, bringing together thousands of developers, engineers, and tech enthusiasts for what has become one of the most influential gatherings in the open source calendar.

Now in its 26th year, FOSDEM continues to grow exponentially, with attendance reaching up to 10,000 participants annually. What makes this event particularly special is its accessibility—the entire conference remains completely free to attend, requiring no registration. Simply show up and immerse yourself in the vibrant ecosystem of open source collaboration.

A Conference Shaped by Contemporary Challenges

This year’s program reflects the pressing realities facing the FOSS community. While technical tracks remain abundant and diverse, the keynote addresses zero in on two critical themes: the rise of adversarial artificial intelligence and the sustainability crisis in open source funding.

The timing couldn’t be more relevant. As geopolitical tensions reshape the technological landscape and questions about digital sovereignty dominate policy discussions across Europe, FOSDEM 2026 positions itself as a forum for addressing these complex challenges head-on.

AI Takes Center Stage

Artificial intelligence dominates the conversation at this year’s event, with multiple keynotes and sessions dedicated to exploring its implications for the open source world.

The talk titled “FOSS in times of war, scarcity and (adversarial) AI” promises to examine how open source software navigates an increasingly complex global environment where AI tools are being weaponized and used in ways that challenge traditional notions of software freedom and security.

Another keynote, “Open Source Security in spite of AI,” delves into the paradox of AI’s role in cybersecurity—how can open source maintain its security advantages when AI tools are being used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities at unprecedented scale?

Privacy activist Katharine Jarmul’s session on “What do we mean when we say Sovereign AI?” addresses the European Union’s push for technological independence, exploring what true AI sovereignty means in practice and how open source can contribute to this goal.

The Sustainability Crisis in Open Source

Perhaps no topic resonates more deeply with the FOSS community than the sustainability of open source development. The keynote “Free as in Burned Out: Who Really Pays for Open Source” tackles this issue with characteristic frankness, questioning the economic models that have sustained open source for decades.

This session addresses the uncomfortable reality that many open source contributors work without compensation, leading to burnout and project abandonment. As companies increasingly rely on open source infrastructure, the question of who bears the cost—and who should—becomes increasingly urgent.

The geopolitical dimensions of open source are explored in talks examining “The Geopolitics of Code: From Digital Sovereignty to Global Fragmentation,” addressing how national interests and international tensions are reshaping the collaborative foundations of open source development.

Celebrating Three Decades of Innovation

Not everything at FOSDEM 2026 is about crisis management. The conference also celebrates significant milestones and showcases ongoing innovation.

KDE’s Aleix Pol presents a retrospective on “KDE at 30,” marking three decades of one of the most influential desktop environments in the Linux ecosystem. This talk promises to trace KDE’s evolution from its humble beginnings to its current status as a mature, feature-rich platform.

Leah Rowe offers a live demonstration of Libreboot, the free BIOS/UEFI replacement that embodies the principles of software freedom down to the firmware level. This hands-on session demonstrates how open source principles can extend beyond traditional application software to fundamental system components.

Michael Meeks from Collabora addresses the “challenges of FLOSS Office Suites,” examining the persistent difficulties in creating office productivity tools that can compete with proprietary alternatives in terms of interoperability, design, and maintenance.

Technical Deep Dives and Emerging Technologies

The Graphics DevRoom features several talks that will interest both developers and technically-minded users. Sessions cover the future of window management post-Xorg, the new Rust-based Tyr NVIDIA graphics driver, and a comprehensive overview of Mesa, the graphics library that powers much of modern Linux graphics without most users ever realizing it.

With 71 distinct tracks covering topics ranging from mobile FOSS and RISC-V hardware to music production, the Fediverse, and Nix package management, FOSDEM 2026 offers something for every technical interest. Whether you’re a kernel developer, a desktop user, or somewhere in between, you’ll find sessions that expand your knowledge and challenge your assumptions.

The Irreplaceable Value of In-Person Connection

In an era where many tech conferences have moved online, FOSDEM’s commitment to maintaining an in-person event carries special significance. The spontaneous conversations in hallways, the serendipitous meetings between developers who have only interacted online, and the energy of thousands of passionate individuals sharing physical space—these elements remain irreplaceable.

As Canonical continues to shift Ubuntu Summit toward online formats, events like FOSDEM become even more crucial for maintaining the human connections that have always been the lifeblood of open source development.

How to Participate

If you’re able to travel to Brussels, simply arrive at the venue during conference hours. No registration, no fees, no barriers—just open access to knowledge and community.

For those unable to attend in person, FOSDEM provides extensive streaming options. The full schedule is available online, allowing you to plan which sessions to watch live and which to catch later through recordings.

Looking Ahead

FOSDEM 2026 represents more than just another conference—it’s a barometer of the open source community’s health, priorities, and challenges. By addressing the existential questions facing FOSS while celebrating its achievements and innovations, the event encapsulates the complex, dynamic nature of this global movement.

As Europe grapples with questions of technological sovereignty and the global community confronts the sustainability of its collaborative foundations, FOSDEM provides a crucial forum for these discussions to take place among the people who are building the future of software.

The conference reminds us that open source is not just about code—it’s about community, values, and the ongoing negotiation between idealism and pragmatism that has characterized the movement since its inception.

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