OpenTelemetry is an open standard for collecting and sending telemetry data to backend platforms, allowing developers to choose a vendor-neutral path to capturing and transmitting telemetry without altering existing instrumentation. It combines the OpenTracing and OpenCensus projects into a single specification, providing benefits such as simplified choice, cross-platform support, and streamlined observability. The project consists of specifications, APIs, SDKs, exporters, collectors, and a shared context layer that enables data to be transferred between services and backends. With its flexible and extensible architecture, OpenTelemetry supports various languages and backends, allowing developers to focus on building reliable software solutions rather than managing instrumentation.