Elastic CEO Ash Kulkarni recently shared insights into the transformative effects of AI on security data analysis, emphasizing the advantages of open-source platforms over proprietary software. Kulkarni argues that open-source platforms offer superior security due to high code quality and the extensive involvement of a global community in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities. This collaborative approach allows for quicker detection and resolution of security issues, as the open-source code is scrutinized by numerous individuals worldwide.
Contrary to the belief that proprietary software benefits from more developer oversight, Kulkarni points out that open-source platforms undergo a more rigorous review process. The transparency of open-source code enables a larger pool of experts to identify and fix problems, resulting in higher quality software. Elastic, for instance, hosts its source code on a public GitHub repository, encouraging feedback and insights from the community, which substantially enhances the software’s robustness.
In an interview at the RSAC Conference 2025 with Information Security Media Group, Kulkarni delved into several key topics. These included the pivotal role AI plays in addressing the challenges posed by unstructured data, the ongoing difficulties in discerning significant alerts within threat detection, and the decision-making process between selecting best-of-breed solutions versus multi-feature platforms.
Kulkarni, who leads innovation at Elastic, aims to leverage search technology to transform potential into tangible results for customers and the community. Before his tenure at Elastic, he held prominent roles at major tech companies such as McAfee, Akamai, Informatica, and Sun Microsystems, where he honed his expertise in product leadership and management.
The discussion highlighted how AI is reshaping the landscape of cybersecurity, offering new methods to tackle complex data challenges. Kulkarni’s insights underscore the potential of open-source platforms to not only enhance security through community collaboration but also to drive innovation in the development of secure technology solutions.