Governance
The core philosophy of Apertus is rooted in transparency, accessibility, and community-driven development. At its foundation is the commitment to open source, with the explicit goal of fostering collaboration, innovation, and the widespread adoption of advanced artificial intelligence technologies in a responsible manner. The open source approach is a foundational element of the project’s identity, reflecting the values of collaboration, inclusivity, and the belief that technology should serve the greater good of society.
Governance roles
The governance structure of the Apertus project is designed to be participatory and transparent, reflecting the collaborative ethos of open source. The Swiss AI Initiative, as the founding body, plays a central role in overseeing the project’s strategic direction and ensuring that it aligns with Swiss values, and in concert with the almost 100 other AI projects under the same umbrella.
Leadership within the Apertus project is distributed across three clusters of ETH, EPFL and CSCS. Decisions are made through a consensus-driven process, seeking input from the broader community whenever possible. Regular community meetings, both virtual and in-person, provide a platform for discussion and feedback, ensuring that the project remains accountable to its users and developers.
To further clarify these roles and responsibilities, the following table outlines the key stakeholders and their functions:
| Role/Group | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Swiss AI Initiative | Oversees strategic direction, ensures alignment with national and international regulations, and manages the project’s overall vision. |
| Steering committee | Ensures coordination among SNAI projects, makes key strategic decisions, and represents the project in external partnerships and discussions. |
| LLM engineering groups | Focuses on the development of the model, including code improvements, new features, and technical support. |
| Ethics and governance | Addresses ethical implications of AI, develops guidelines for responsible use, and advises on legal compliance. |
| Community engagement team | Facilitates user and developer community building, including documentation, outreach, and support. |
| Core Contributors | Partner and community developers, researchers, and maintainers who implement changes and updates to the codebase. |
| Users and Adopters | Use the model in various applications, provide feedback, and contribute to the community. |
The project aims to be a model for how open source AI can be both beneficial and regulated, balancing the needs of global access with the need for accountability and legal clarity. Through these structures and principles, Apertus seeks to empower a community that values transparency, inclusivity, and the potential of AI to improve society while respecting individual rights and societal norms.
About this page
This documentation site reflects the project’s dedication to open source principles while recognizing the complexities of deploying AI in the real world. It is aimed to be a living document, updated regularly to reflect the evolving needs and insights of the community and regulatory landscape.
The community is invited to engage, contribute, and thereby help shape the future of Apertus, ensuring it remains a tool for positive societal impact. Visit the GitHub wiki for a contribution guide.