Open innovation will be the winning strategy for digital sovereignty and human progress in the new decade

Open innovation is emerging as a solution to the global challenge of maintaining digital sovereignty while fostering international collaboration and local benefits. As nations and policymakers aim to ensure that digital products and services adhere to national laws, open source software projects serve as a model for collaborative economic growth. These projects not only build technical skills but also create public goods that can be used across borders, as seen with the DICOM Web Viewer aiding India's telemedicine initiatives. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of open innovation, with open-source contact-tracing applications demonstrating transparent, international cooperation. The European Commission's establishment of an Open Source Programme Office exemplifies the growing recognition of open innovation's potential to drive technological progress and policy development. As the new decade unfolds, the emphasis on open innovation is expected to guide industrial policy, ensuring that global interconnection remains a priority for achieving digital sovereignty and human advancement.