LINUX FOUNDATION RESEARCH

We’re investigating the impact of open source collaboration to solve the world’s most pressing challenges.

report-covers-2026

About LF Research

LF Research publishes actionable and decision-useful insights into open source software, hardware, standards, and data based on empirical research methodologies. Through leveraging community networks, project databases, surveys, and qualitative findings, and through its commitment to best practices in primary research, Linux Foundation Research is the definitive home for data-driven insights into open source for the benefit of governments, enterprises, and society at large.

35 Years of Linux

How did a hobby project evolve into the open source engine of global infrastructure? The milestone report by LF Research examines the kernel’s historic and organic evolution as well as its present-day impact. 

 

Web Assets_35YearsofLinux_2026_Report_Thumbnail Cover

Participate in Our Research

Join the LF Research Forum and participate in our surveys and interviews to give back to your community and earn events & training discounts!

 

2025 Washington panel w Meta

Interested in conducting research?

Review our prospectus for more information, and email us at research@linuxfoundation.org

 

2025 Napa LFMS Stephanie Hilary Nithya

Enterprise Transitions to the Agentic Era

Download Report
What is the reality of enterprise agent adoption, as we approach the last few months of 2026?
 
In partnership with Futurewei, Guru Technologies, LF AI & Data, the Tokenomics Foundation, and the Agentic AI Foundation, LF Research completed a qualitative study on how open source innovators and practitioners are navigating the shift from cloud-first to agent-first.
 
The key takeaway is that trust, governance, and cost are more important gatekeepers than model capability. Agents are becoming an enterprise orchestration layer and human-in-the-loop accountability must be built into the plumbing. Meanwhile, volatile token economics are causing new methods for metering usage and controlling consumption.
 
Download the full report to explore the roadmap for managing tokenomics, setting up governance control layers, and securing long-term digital sovereignty!
 
Authors:
  • Hillary Curran, Guru Technologies
  • Hilary Carter, The Linux Foundation
  • Anni Lai, Futurewei
 
DOI: 10.70828/QFRW8479

Our Team

Filter by: