2025 Predictions: Linux Kernel, Open Source, and the Uncertain Future

LWN.net's 2025 predictions paint a picture of exciting advancements and looming challenges in the Linux kernel and open-source landscape. The article foresees transformative changes with the extensible scheduling class (sched-ext), increased adoption of Rust in the kernel, the discovery of new backdoor attempts, risks associated with single-maintainer projects, the potential fallout from AI-generated code, growing support for free generative AI and maintainers, persistent cloud product failures and data breaches, a surge in open hardware, a resurgence of mobile device distributions, and the impact of geopolitical factors. The year ahead promises both significant opportunities and considerable hurdles for the open-source community.