As we approach Open Community Experience (OCX) 2026, taking place 21–23 April in Brussels, I’ve been reflecting on this year’s program and what it says about where our community is heading.

At its core, OCX is about bringing together the different communities that are supported by the Eclipse Foundation. That includes work happening across AI, mobility, developer tooling, embedded systems, security and compliance, and public policy & research. These areas are increasingly connected, and the people working in them are often tackling similar challenges from different angles. We often describe the Eclipse Foundation as a “community of communities,” and OCX is a reflection of that. It creates space for those communities to come together, compare notes, and learn from each other. Developers, policymarkers, business leaders, and other contributors to the open source ecosystem all have a role to play in those conversations.

This year, I will once again have the privilege of opening OCX with my “State of the union” keynote. I will share reflections on how open source is evolving, along with our strategic priorities as we navigate a landscape shaped by rapid advances in AI, increasing regulatory complexity, and growing expectations for secure and trustworthy software. It is a moment that calls for clarity of purpose and for collaboration at scale.

Of course, one of the highlights of OCX is always the keynote program, and this year we have assembled an exceptional group of speakers who bring a diverse and compelling set of perspectives.

Ruth Buscombe, a Formula 1 race strategist and F1TV analyst, will share insights drawn from one of the most demanding, data-driven environments in the world. Her experience translating complex data into real-time decisions offers a powerful parallel to open source communities, where transparency, coordination, and trust are essential to success. Her work advocating for diversity in STEM also serves as an important reminder that strong communities are built through inclusion. Get a snapshot of her keynote in this teaser video.

Nadia Aimé, Cybersecurity Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, will share a deeply personal perspective on navigating a career in technology amid constant change. As AI continues to reshape the industry and cybersecurity challenges grow more complex, Nadia’s story highlights the enduring importance of resilience, curiosity, and community. Her message is a timely reminder that while technologies shift, the human qualities that underpin meaningful contribution remain constant.

From SAP, Axel Uhl will explore how open source technologies enable innovation at scale. Drawing on SAP’s work in competitive sailing, his keynote will demonstrate how Eclipse Foundation technologies have been used to build sophisticated digital twins capable of modelling complex, real-world systems used in the Olympic Games. It is a compelling example of how open source can serve as both a foundation for experimentation and a driver of operational excellence.

We will also host a high-level panel discussion on the implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). As the conversation shifts from policy to practice, this session will explore what it takes to turn regulatory ambition into effective, real-world outcomes. Bringing together leading voices from across the European ecosystem, this discussion will examine governance, standardisation, and market readiness, as well as the critical role open source must play in shaping a secure and innovative digital future.

And, as always, the keynotes are just one part of the experience. OCX 2026 will feature a rich program of technical sessions, hands-on workshops, and the kind of informal conversations where some of the most valuable ideas emerge.

What continues to make this event special is the people. It is the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, meet new contributors, and take part in discussions that genuinely matter. There is a shared sense of purpose that comes from bringing so many perspectives together in one place, and it is something I look forward to every year.

I am very much looking forward to welcoming you to Brussels this April. OCX 2026 is an opportunity to learn from one another, strengthen our community, and continue shaping the future of open source together.

See you there!