Automattic, the parent company behind popular website platform WordPress, announced on Monday that it is acquiring an AI-focused startup, reportedly purchasing the company at an undisclosed value to further enhance its offerings.
WPAI offers a range of innovative products similar to those found at CodeWP, including an AI-driven tool for creating WordPress plugins. Additionally, the company provides AgentWP, an AI-powered assistant designed specifically for website builders using WordPress; and WP Chat, an intelligent conversational interface for answering questions related to WordPress development. WordPress.com announced on its blog that CodeWP and AgentWP are likely to be discontinued in their current form and integrated into Automattic’s offering eventually, with no clear timeline provided.
As part of the acquisition, Automattic’s founders are set to join the company and lead the development of AI solutions for WordPress, further solidifying their commitment to innovative technologies.
Automattic announced plans to integrate modern AI capabilities into the WordPress core ecosystem, enabling seamless collaboration between customers and developers through innovative features.
Automattic’s CEO, Matt Mullen Weg, personally announced the acquisition.
On that occasion, WPAI declared its commitment to developing practical AI solutions tailored specifically for the WordPress platform.
Developing AI-driven specifications for WordPress, thereby optimizing its fundamental performance and designing tools to facilitate clients in crafting and managing sophisticated websites. “We will collaborate closely with the WordPress community to deliberately roll out these improvements while preserving open-source principles,” the company said.
Over the past few years, Automattic has introduced several AI tools to aid users. The newly acquired startup is poised to focus on crafting innovative AI-driven tools for developers and website construction.
Automattic has made its second acquisition in just two months with the WPAI purchase. Last month, the company acquired a tool that checks grammar regionally on its device.
Automattic and its founder Matt Mullenweg find themselves at odds with WP Engine, a rival WordPress-focused web hosting service? The company’s founder has been accused by the latter of perpetuating anti-competitive practices. However, a dispute arose when Mullenweg and Automattic claimed that WP Engine had trespassed on the “WordPress” trademark boundaries and failed to make adequate contributions to the community. The court will decide in this matter. Despite some details being unresolved, the overall framework should still be refined.
