In Category on 29 Apr 2026
CKAN 2.11.5 & 2.10.10 Released — Security & Bug Fix Patch
New patch releases are now available for CKAN 2.11.x and 2.10.x, addressing four security advisories. Upgrade as soon as possible.
Blog
Celebrating the Project's 20th Anniversary: A Reflection of a CKAN Co-Steward
Steven De Costa, CKAN co-steward since 2012, reflects on the reciprocal value at CKAN's core, the impact of AI on open data, and why CKAN is built to last another 20 years.
By Steven De Costa
As we approach 2026, I find myself looking back at a journey that has spanned nearly two-thirds of my professional life. Celebrating CKAN's 20th anniversary isn't just a milestone for a piece of software; it's a celebration of a global movement that has redefined how we think about data.
The Power of Reciprocity
My journey with CKAN began in 2012. At the time, Link Digital was tasked with delivering the Australian national open data program, data.gov.au. Looking back over those fourteen years, people often ask me if I ever worried about the project's survival. My answer is always no.
I've never doubted CKAN because of the "reciprocal value" at its core. Every time I give to this project, whether through code, community support, or advocacy, it creates value in return. It's a self-sustaining cycle that rewards everyone involved: our staff, our customers, and the contributors who keep the engine running.
When you invest in an ecosystem like this, the ecosystem invests in you.
Open Data in the Age of AI
As we reach this 20-year mark, the rise of AI and concerns over data sovereignty are forcing us to rethink what "open data" means. But while the technology is shifting, our foundation is not.
I see AI as a "different kind of beast"; it's a powerful new engine that models and internalizes our reality. However, the core principles we've championed for two decades — transparency, accountability, and good governance — are more important now than ever.
AI doesn't replace the need for open data; it amplifies the need for high-quality, governed data that everyone can access.
Why We'll Be Here in 2046
Why will CKAN still be relevant in another 20 years? It's because we aren't a "business plan" or a passing trend. We are digital public infrastructure.
CKAN's longevity is built on a triangulation between three pillars:
Our Community
The developers and dreamers who build it.
The Platform Owners
The governments and organizations that rely on it.
The End Users
The citizens and researchers who use data to solve real-world problems.
This structure makes us resilient.
We aren't tied to the whims of a single corporation. We are a collective.
It has been an amazing twenty years, and if you believe in the power of a truly open data ecosystem, I invite you to join us for the next twenty. The best is yet to come.
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In Category on 20 Mar 2026
LLMs + Open Data Portals: Join the CKAN Answers Consultation Session
Are you building systems that query open data portals with AI? How are you handling retrieval reliability, hallucinations, and grounding? Join a semi-closed technical session organised by the OKFN Tech Team around the CKAN Answers project — demo, code sharing, and community feedback.