Automattic Acquires WPAI: AI Integration Set to Transform WordPress Ecosystem

Automattic acquires WPAI, a startup that creates AI solutions for WordPress

WordPress hosting company Automattic said Monday that it is acquiring WPAI, a startup that builds AI solutions for WordPress, at an undisclosed price. WPAI has some products such as CodeWP, a tool to use AI to create WP Plugins; AgentWP, an AI assistant for WordPress site builders; and WP Chat, which is an AI-powered chat for WordPress-related questions. WPAI noted on its blog that CodeWP and AgentWP will be discontinued in its current avatar and will be integrated within Automattic's offering eventually. Automattic noted that as part of the acquisition, the founding team will be joining the company to lead the efforts of AI features for WordPress. "They'll be working on testing, building, and integrating innovative AI solutions into the core ecosystem to redefine how users and developers work with WordPress," Automattic said in an announcement. Automattic's CEO Matt Mullenweg also separately announced the acquisition on his personal blog. On its blog, WPAI said that the company's focus will be on creating applied AI solutions for the WordPress ecosystem. "This includes developing AI standards for WordPress, improving the platform's core functionality, and creating tools that help users build and manage better websites. We'll work closely with the WordPress community to thoughtfully implement these improvements while maintaining open-source values.," the company said. Over the past few years, Automattic has already launched a few AI tools to help users write better and succinct posts. Post the new acquistion, the startup will possibly focus on creating AI-powered developer and site building tools. WPAI acquisition is Automattic's second acquisition in two months. Last month, the company snapped up a Grammarly competitor for developers called Harper, which checks grammar locally on the device. Both Automattic and Mullenweg are involved in a legal battle with rival WordPress hosting site WP Engine. The latter has accused Mullenweg of anti-competitive behavior. On the other hand, Mullenweg and Automattic have argued that WP Engine infringed the "WordPress" trademark and didn't contribute enough to the ecosystem. The judge in the case indicated last month that the court would pass some primary injunction. However, specifics of the order have to be ironed out.

WordPress owner Automattic acquires AI start-up WPAI

Automattic aims to use WPAI's products to create a more seamless experience for users of WordPress. Automattic, the company which owns the web content management system WordPress, has acquired the start-up WPAI. The acquisition of the artificial intelligence (AI) solutions company by Automattic, comes after the business acquired the app Beeper for a reported $125m in April. In a statement released yesterday (9 December), Automattic said: "We're committed to making WordPress smarter, faster and easier for everyone. Today, we're announcing the acquisition of a company that's going to help us in that mission: WPAI." The start-up's three founders - James LePage, Greg Hunt and Ovidiu 'Ovi' Iulian Galatan - will be joining Automattic in order to "lead the exploration of applied AI as an interaction paradigm for WordPress". "They'll be working on testing, building and integrating innovative AI solutions into the core ecosystem to redefine how users and developers work with WordPress." By using WPAI's tools, Automattic aims make to WordPress more seamless for the plarform's users. WPAI, which was established just two years ago, also welcomed the acquisition, claiming that it will help further its mission "to make WordPress more accessible through AI". LePage added: "By integrating our technology and research with current and future Automattic products, we'll be able to accelerate towards our goal of making WordPress, the operating system of the Web, more accessible to everybody." In addition, WPAI said that it would share more details about its technology transitions in the coming months. Automattic made headlines earlier this year when Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, called WP Engine a "cancer to WordPress" at an event in September. WP Engine then sent a cease-and-desist letter to Automattic, which in turn sent its own cease-and-desist letter over trademark infringement. Following this, WP Engine filed a lawsuit against Automattic and Mullenweg, accusing them of extortion and abuse of power. Automattic also owns the platforms Tumblr, Jetpack and WooCommerce, while WPAI is known for AI-centric products such as CodeWP, WP.Chat and AgentWP. Don't miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic's digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.