Sentient Foundation Launches Global Initiative for Open-Source, Decentralized AGI
February 19, 2026
The Sentient Foundation launches as a global nonprofit to keep Artificial General Intelligence open-source, decentralized, and aligned with humanity, positioning itself as a neutral steward of the open-AGI ecosystem across research, governance, and outreach.
Its relationship with Sentient Labs is that Sentient Labs conducts research and development while the Foundation coordinates broader goals, governance, and open-source openness for AGI.
The core mission is to maintain open-source AGI, decentralize development, and ensure governance reflects broad human values, with pillars including standards, oversight, global collaboration, developer support, governance, and public forums.
Core goals include establishing alignment and safety standards, enabling global research collaboration, providing developer grants and support, creating inclusive governance, and publicly advocating for open-source AGI.
The Foundation argues that AGI should not be owned by corporations, pointing to privately controlled models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and Claude, and highlighting open-source alternatives such as DeepSeek and Qwen as proof of viability.
Open-source AI examples like DeepSeek and Qwen demonstrate that open models can compete with closed-source counterparts, reinforcing a case for open governance.
The Foundation draws inspiration from Linux, Apache, and Android as precedents for open, collaborative technology development.
A comparative table contrasts proprietary and open-source AGI models, emphasizing transparency, decentralized governance, collaborative innovation, and broader access in the open-source approach.
The call to action invites researchers, developers, institutions, policymakers, and advocates to join, with contact information provided (website, email, and social links).
The announcement is framed as a press-release-style piece promoting the Foundation within the web3/AI governance discourse.
The formation is framed as a response to ensure broad access and avoid centralized control over AGI technologies.
FAQ clarifies goals, differences between open-source and proprietary AI, rationale for decentralization for safety, key challenges, and avenues for public engagement.
Summary based on 4 sources
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Sources

The Manila Times • Feb 19, 2026
Sentient Foundation Launches as Global Nonprofit to Ensure AGI Remains Open-Source and Aligned with Humanity
BitcoinWorld • Feb 19, 2026
Sentient Foundation Pioneers a Crucial Mission: Building an Open-Source AGI Ecosystem for All