WordPress.com introduces AI Assistant for editing, styling and image creation

WordPress.com has introduced a built-in WordPress AI assistant that allows site owners to modify their websites using natural language commands, according to an announcement made by Automattic on Tuesday. The new feature integrates directly into the website platform, enabling users to adjust layouts, styles, and content without requiring technical expertise or precise coding knowledge. This WordPress AI assistant represents a significant step in making website management more accessible to users of all skill levels.

The tool works by understanding the existing content and structure of a website, then applying changes based on conversational instructions from users. Site owners can see modifications reflected in real-time as they work within the editor. According to the company, users can issue general commands such as requesting a section to feel more modern or spacious, asking for brighter and bolder color schemes, or requesting professional font options.

How the WordPress AI Assistant Modifies Website Design

Beyond aesthetic changes, the assistant can add functional elements and reorganize site structure through simple commands. Users can instruct the AI to add contact pages or insert testimonials sections below existing content. However, Automattic notes that the assistant currently works exclusively with block themes rather than classic themes, meaning the feature will not appear in the editor for sites using older theme formats.

The content editing capabilities extend to text modifications as well. Site owners can request rewrites to change tone, such as making biographical information sound more confident, or translate sections into different languages. These features aim to streamline the content management process for WordPress users who may lack writing or translation resources.

Editorial and Collaboration Features

Additionally, the AI assistant functions as an editorial tool within WordPress’s collaborative environment. Available through the block notes editor introduced in WordPress 6.9, users can invoke the assistant by typing @ai followed by their requests. The system provides suggestions for headlines, conducts fact checks, and offers grammar corrections while citing external sources with relevant links where appropriate.

Meanwhile, visual content creation receives support through integration with Google Gemini’s Nano Banana AI models. A new “Generate Image” button in the Media Library allows users to create original images or edit existing ones by specifying requirements such as aspect ratios and artistic styles. This image generation capability addresses the growing need for custom visual content among website operators.

Enabling and Accessing the AI Assistant

The company emphasizes that the WordPress AI assistant is an opt-in feature rather than a default setting. To activate it, users must navigate to their Sites list after logging in, select their site name, access Settings, scroll to “AI tools,” and toggle the “Enable AI assistant” option. This approach respects user preferences regarding AI integration in their workflow.

In contrast, customers who create websites using WordPress.com’s AI website builder will have the assistant enabled automatically. This automatic activation suggests the company views the tool as integral to the AI-powered site creation experience while maintaining user choice for existing sites.

The company has not announced specific timelines for expanding compatibility to classic themes or indicated whether additional AI models beyond Google Gemini will be integrated in future updates. Users of classic themes will need to migrate to block themes to access the assistant’s functionality.