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.
