Human Source License (HSL) (github.com)

The Human Source License (HSL) has been introduced as a response to the ethical challenges posed by AI companies utilizing human-written code without consent or compensation. Aimed at preserving the collaborative spirit of open source, HSL allows individuals and researchers to use the software freely for internal purposes while imposing licensing fees on large companies with revenues over $100 million when their software is used for external services or in AI model training. This initiative emphasizes the need to protect human creativity in the face of AI's increasing capabilities. Significantly, the HSL attempts to ensure that while technology continues to advance, the contributions of individual developers are recognized and valued. It specifically prohibits the use of AI-generated contributions, maintaining that the license is meant for human collaboration only. Currently in a working draft stage, HSL v0.2 includes provisions for international applicability, particularly in European and US jurisdictions, and encourages community feedback prior to legal review. The HSL represents a critical step toward balancing innovation in AI with ethical considerations around intellectual property and fair compensation.