The Apache Software Foundation is a thriving community of individuals who contribute their time and expertise to open source projects. In this edition of our Plus One People series, we had the opportunity to speak with Jean-Baptiste Onofré (JB), who holds multiple roles within the Apache ecosystem, including ASF Board of Directors, PMC Chair, PMC member, committer, and contributor.
JB’s journey into open source began in 2004 when he started contributing to existing open source code while working at a public research lab in Southern France. Since then, he has been actively involved in various Apache projects, including ActiveMQ, Camel, Karaf, and many others.
Currently, JB is focused on the big data ecosystem, particularly distributed systems and querying engines. He is passionate about the architectural challenges of maintaining consistency and availability at scale, which is evident in his involvement in projects like Apache Iceberg, Polaris, Arrow, and Beam.
One of the most exciting aspects of the work happening in the Apache community right now, according to JB, is the increased collaboration between different projects. Events like Lakehouse Day and Community Over Code Con demonstrate how ASF projects work together to create their own ecosystems.
JB also sees great opportunities for the Apache Software Foundation in the realm of AI. The release of the Generative Tooling Guidelines positions the ASF to play a significant role in shaping the open source AI ecosystem responsibly. He believes that the ASF can lead the way in providing guidance on responsible AI practices.
Looking ahead, JB predicts that Agentic AI, autonomous open source agents that manage entire workflows independently, will shape the future of open source. Additionally, regulations like the EU Cyber Resilience Act are pushing the open source community to prioritize security as a legal mandate, leading to the rise of digital provenance tools.
The Apache Way, which emphasizes community over code, is crucial for the sustainability and longevity of projects. By prioritizing community, the ASF ensures diversity, quality through consensus, and legal and intellectual safety, all of which contribute to the long-term success of open source projects.
For those looking to start contributing to Apache projects, JB advises finding a project and community that you like and using it personally. Observing the community, finding a mentor, and starting with a small improvement for your first pull request are all essential steps in getting involved.
Overall, contributors like JB play a vital role in shaping the direction of the ASF by combining technical innovation with community-driven collaboration. As the open source landscape continues to evolve, their contributions are instrumental in guiding the future of software developed for the public good.
If you’re interested in getting involved with Apache projects, you can start by visiting the Apache community website, incubating a project, exploring community resources, becoming a contributor, and following The ASF on social media for updates and opportunities to engage with the community.
For more information on JB Onofré and his contributions to the Apache Software Foundation, you can read the full article on The ASF Blog.
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