WordPress.com launches built-in AI assistant for site design
WordPress.com, the website hosting platform from Automattic, has introduced a built-in AI assistant. This feature was announced on Tuesday.
The AI assistant integrates with the website’s content and layout, allowing site owners to implement changes using natural language commands. Users can instruct the AI to adjust site layout, style, or patterns. Changes will appear on the site as commands are given.
The AI assistant can process general language commands, such as “make this section feel more modern or spacious,” “change my site’s colors to be brighter and bolder,” or “give me more font options that feel clean and professional.”
It can manage layout additions and adjustments, including creating a contact page or adding a testimonials section below an existing one. This functionality is compatible with block themes. The assistant does not appear in the editor for classic themes.
Content updates are also possible, such as rewriting a bio to sound more confident or translating a section into another language.
The AI acts as an editor, providing headline suggestions, fact checks, and grammar and editing recommendations. This feature is accessible through the block notes editor introduced in WordPress 6.9, which supports team collaboration. Users can invoke the AI by typing @ai followed by their requests. The AI delivers its responses within the block notes, including relevant links and information from external sources.
For visual assistance, the assistant utilizes Google Gemini’s Nano Banana AI models. These models can create new images or modify existing ones. A new “Generate Image” button in the Media Library allows users to specify image requirements like aspect ratios or image styles.
The WordPress AI Assistant is an opt-in feature. Users can enable it by logging into their Sites list, clicking their site name, and navigating to Settings. Under “AI tools” in Settings, they can toggle on “Enable AI assistant.”
Customers who buy a website using the AI website builder will have the assistant automatically enabled.