Speaker
Description
Open source agentic AI is growing fast with projects like Hermes Agent and OpenClaw, but technology alone is not enough. Drawing on experience organising Hong Kong Open Source Conference 2026’s agentic AI track and daily use of Hermes Agent, this talk shows why community and ecosystem building matter, and offers practical ways GNOME and Asian F/OSS communities can shape open, sustainable agentic AI together.
Author(s) Bio
Sammy Fung is an open-source advocate and community organiser from Hong Kong. He founded Open Source Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Open Source Conference (HKOSCon), and PyCon Hong Kong, and has long been active in GNOME Asia - including organising the 2012 Summit in Hong Kong and serving on the GNOME Foundation Board (2022–2024).
A Python Software Foundation Fellow, Sammy organised HKOSCon 2026’s agentic AI track featuring Hermes Agent and OpenClaw, and has been using Hermes Agent daily since August. He focuses on building sustainable communities and ecosystems that connect classic free-software practices with the emerging world of open-source agentic AI.
Talk Description
Open source agentic AI has exploded. Tools such as Hermes Agent (with its self-improving learning loop and persistent skills) and OpenClaw (multi-channel gateway architecture) demonstrate what is possible, yet the long-term success of these systems depends less on models and more on the communities and ecosystems that surround them.
Sammy Fung shares lessons from organising Hong Kong Open Source Conference 2026, which featured multiple agentic AI sessions including Hermes Agent and OpenClaw, and from using Hermes Agent daily since August. He examines what works when inviting speakers, creating space for local experimentation, and turning users into contributors in a fast-moving field.
The talk connects these experiences to GNOME Asia audiences: emerging desktop and MCP integrations, the need for localisation, clearer onboarding, and sustainable governance. Attendees will leave with concrete next steps—experimenting with open agents, contributing skills or documentation, starting local conversations, and strengthening the bridge between classic FOSS community practices and the new wave of agentic AI.
Whether you are a GNOME developer, community organiser, or simply curious about open source AI, this session offers a practical roadmap for building the human infrastructure that open agentic systems need to thrive across Asia and beyond.
| Category | Community Building and Diveristy |
|---|---|
| Twitter and/or Mastodon Handle | @sammyfung@fosstodon.org |
| Where are you located? | Hong Kong |
| Do you need travel sponsorship from GNOME Foundation in order to join our event? | Yes |