The best news has reached WordPress users, including this writer and the very publication you are reading. Automattic’s decision ends the lull that began when the company co-founded by Matt Mullenweg paused its work amid a dispute with WP Engine.
Automattic confirms on its official website that, after a pause to reorganise and plan, it is ready to contribute again. Its staff will return to WordPress Core, Gutenberg, Playground, Openverse and WordPress.org.
“We have learned a great deal from this pause that we can apply to the project, including a heightened awareness of the many ways WordPress is used and how we can shape the future of the web alongside so many passionate collaborators. We are committed to its growth and to working with the incredible global community that makes WordPress the backbone of the internet. We already power 43 per cent of the web; together, we can achieve much more,” the statement adds.
This is unquestionably great news, arriving just ahead of WordCamp Europe, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland, from 5 to 7 June.
The return to contributing (the project has sorely missed them, giving competitors an easier ride) comes only days after Automattic and Mullenweg lifted all bans and blocks on community members. Another recent milestone was a round of lay-offs stemming from the legal battle with WP Engine, a case that currently appears to be unfolding against Automattic.
Aside from all this, WordPress is watching market trends closely and shows no sign of missing the artificial-intelligence wave, which could also be a seismic shift for CMSs by greatly enhancing accessibility. Automattic already offers a product that lets you build a website from scratch via an AI chat, and a special group has been formed to oversee this area, where Google’s presence is considerable.
Previously, Mullenweg said he would not contribute again unless an agreement was reached with WP Engine to settle the lawsuit between the two companies. Whether that agreement has been struck, or whether Automattic has simply changed tack, remains unknown.
Did you know…? Automattic will have a major presence at CMS & AI AInnovation 2025, organised by this outlet, CMS MAG: it will unveil the latest AI features in Newspack and WordPress VIP. If you would like to request a free ticket, there is still time.
* Original article written in Spanish, translated with chatGPT and reviewed in English by Jorge Mediavilla.
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