The debate around the importance of open source software has been ongoing for years, with some arguing that it's a morally superior way to build software. However, the reality is that software, whether open source or proprietary, is just a tool to get things done. As Redis CEO Rowan Trollope puts it, for the average developer, it's not about open or closed licensing, but rather whether the software offers something unique and differentiated that they need in their application.

In the hottest market in tech, artificial intelligence, companies like Hugging Face are positioning themselves as champions of open source AI models. While Hugging Face generates a nice profit from its open source approach, the company's claims of being the only way to do AI correctly are questionable. In fact, its Llama model, touted as one of the first open source large language models to outperform closed source ones, has been criticized for not being truly open source.

Meanwhile, the real money in AI is going to the hyperscale clouds that prioritize customer convenience over ideological arguments. Amazon Web Services (AWS), for instance, has been a major beneficiary of open source software. Despite being criticized in the past for not giving back to the open source community, AWS has shifted its focus towards making open source easier for enterprises to consume. Under the leadership of David Nalley, AWS has become more pragmatic about open source, touting its benefits for customers rather than waving ideological banners.

The Linux Foundation, another prominent player in the open source space, has taken a similar approach. Despite being funded by corporate contributions, the organization has remained a stalwart advocate for uncompromising open source. Its secret to success lies in its ability to tie open source to business value, arguing that contributing to and consuming open source is good for business. This focus on practical benefits has helped the Linux Foundation ensure the sustainability of open source, unlike some of its peers who emphasize ideological arguments.

The key takeaway from these examples is that the true value of open source software lies in its ability to help developers and their employers get work done more effectively. It's not about ideological arguments or moral superiority, but about providing unique value to customers. As the Linux Foundation's Executive Director Jim Zemlin puts it, "Open source software has substantial economic value to companies and ... its value will increase for most organizations the longer and more they use it."

In conclusion, the importance of open source software cannot be overstated, but it's essential to separate ideology from practicality. Companies like AWS, the Linux Foundation, and Hugging Face are showing that customer convenience, business value, and unique differentiation are what truly matter in the world of software development.