Nicholas Robinson
Public sector Agencies are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) tools. High quality open-source AI (OSAI) options are available, but much of their current attention is on proprietary options such as Copilot and ChatGPT. There are parallels with take-up of open-source software (OSS). While OSS has a foothold in niche functions of Agencies' technology suites, it has not seen widespread adoption despite backing from technical and political spheres and its potential to reduce costs and spur increased competition and innovation. Grounded in theoretical frameworks and evidence used to investigate OSS uptake, the study draws on interviews with 31 decision-makers on AI adoption in Australian, Canadian and German public sector Agencies to analyse key factors in the feasibility of open-source technologies in general and OSAI in particular, compared to their proprietary counterparts. In comparison to determinants of OSS adoption, technological characteristics like fit, control and the availability of hardware infrastructure are more influential in whether OSAI is adopted. Furthermore, organisational considerations like digital sovereignty and data protection were more prominent in the AI decisions. Conversely, AI models are more homogenous and easier to switch between than traditional software products, meaning that perceptions of usability, fears of vendor lock-in and availability of support were not as strong an influence as with OSS. Although AI is a fast-evolving technology, the choice to adopt OSAI or proprietary AI involves making commitments today — like investment in hardware and building internal sovereign capabilities — that will echo into the future.