As we stand on the edge of a era defined by artificial intelligence and changing user expectations—we should ask: Is WordPress just a specific technology, or is it something bigger?
Matías Ventura, Gutenberg Lead Architect discussed how WordPress moves forward while remaining true to its essence, at WordCamp Asia in Manila.
If it’s just a technology, then it is bound to PHP, MySQL, Gutenberg, REST APIs, and the current ecosystem. But if it’s a mission—to democratize publishing—then does it need the freedom to evolve beyond those limitations?
The Core of WordPress: What Really Matters?
If we strip away the current technology stack, what remains at the heart of WordPress?
1. The Mission: Democratizing Publishing
- Is WordPress about enabling anyone, anywhere, to publish and share their ideas?
- Is making web publishing accessible and affordable still its guiding principle?
- How has this mission shaped the WordPress we know today, and where does it go from here?
2. Open Source: The Power of Freedom
- Does the power of GPL and community-driven development still define WordPress?
- Why is open source fundamental to WordPress’ identity?
- Could tying the mission too closely to a single tech stack actually limit its future potential?
3. The Community: More Than Just Code
- Is the strength of WordPress in its millions of contributors, developers, designers, and users?
- Does a global ecosystem make it more than just software?
- How does the culture of collaboration and innovation drive its evolution?
4. The Brand & Identity
- Is WordPress more than just a logo – is it an idea, a movement?
- What responsibility does it have in maintaining trust and leadership in the open web?
- How does the brand influence adoption and perception?
What WordPress Is Not
- Not MySQL – Could databases evolve in ways that make MySQL obsolete?
- Not Gutenberg – Could AI-powered content creation redefine how we interact with interfaces?
- Not PHP – Are modern languages and frameworks better suited for the future?
- Not the current hosting model – How could decentralization, edge computing, and AI-driven infrastructures reshape hosting?
The Next 20 Years: A Radical Future for WordPress
If WordPress is to survive another decade, should it reinvent itself?
- What if WordPress embraced AI-powered website creation?
- What if it ran on a decentralized, infrastructure?
- What if publishing moved beyond traditional websites and into a world of immersive, interactive experiences?
It sounds crazy—but maybe it’s crazier still to think that WordPress can remain relevant without radical change. The internet itself will not look the same in 10, 20, or 50 years. If WordPress is tied to a specific technology stack, how can it last?
But if WordPress remains true to its mission—democratizing publishing—does it have the opportunity to define the next era of the web?
What Should WordPress Become?
WordPress is not just a CMS. It is a movement, a mission, and an evolving idea. If it is to stay relevant in an AI-driven world, should it free itself from the constraints of its current technology stack?
The real question isn’t “What is WordPress today?” but “What should WordPress become?”
And if we ask the right questions, then the answers will become clearer, quicker.
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