Sal Kimmich

they/them
Type of Seat:

I bring over a decade of experience in computational architecture, cybersecurity, and a deep understanding of the legal intricacies surrounding open-source licensing, particularly in the rapidly evolving fields of AI and machine learning. As demonstrated in the ongoing Open Source Summit panel series “Open Source AI”, I’ve been keeping a keen eye on the nuanced licensing landscape in these emerging technologies, understanding that our approach to licensing must also evolve.

I am committed to fostering an open-source ecosystem that is sustainable, balancing privacy protection with open collaboration, and will help navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for open-source licensing in the era of AI and beyond.

Currently, I serve as the Technical Community Architect for the Confidential Computing Consortium, where I support privacy-enhancing Open Source projects within the Linux Foundation. My diverse background includes enhancing security practices at the CNCF, OpenSSF, NIH, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and leading AI/ML security compliance initiatives at Kessel Run, the U.S. Air Force’s agile software development unit. This experience underscores my commitment to advancing open-source across diverse sectors, and an understanding of their equally diverse stakeholders.

I’ve been actively involved with OSI for 3 years, engaging in both educational online panels and in-person interventional workshops on AI licensing.

How will you contribute to the board

I intend to apply my insights into developing and implementing scalable, secure open-source solutions that meet both technical demands and societal needs. Through active participation in policy formulation and community engagement, I aim to guide OSI in harnessing open-source software as a catalyst for ethical innovation and broad-based collaboration, ensuring it continues to thrive as a force for good in the rapidly changing technological landscape.

I’ll leverage my unique blend of technical knowledge, developing AI/ML standards, and ethical frameworks that may be relevant to the OSI’s mission. My hands-on experience with big data, scalable computing, and generative AI, positions me to expertly address the evolving challenges and opportunities within the open-source community.

Why you should be elected

I have a decade of hands-on, results-oriented approach to overcoming complex challenges in Open Source. Having actively contributed to OSI through educational initiatives, I’m prepared to tackle the evolving challenges, and invite the board to consider my diverse expertise as a valuable asset in steering OSI towards a future where open-source continues to be a cornerstone of technological advancement and societal progress.