Title: Leadership transition for the Core AI team Author: James LePage Published: 18 May 2026 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/isotropic/) [James LePage](https://profiles.wordpress.org/isotropic/) 8:30 am _on_ 18 May 2026   # Leadership transition for the Core AI team The CoreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. AI team is transitioning leadership. Felix Arntz ([@flixos90](https://profiles.wordpress.org/flixos90/)) and I have served as co-leads for Core AI over the past year, and we’re both stepping back from our roles. Jason Adams ([@jason_the_adams](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jason_the_adams/)) will take over as Team RepTeam Rep A Team Rep is a person who represents the Make WordPress team to the rest of the project, make sure issues are raised and addressed as needed, and coordinates cross-team efforts. and lead our Core AI effort going forward. It’s been a remarkable year for Core AI, [after our formation in May 2025](https://wordpress.org/news/2025/05/announcing-the-formation-of-the-wordpress-ai-team/). The Abilities APIAbilities API A core WordPress API (introduced in 6.9) that creates a central registry of capabilities, making WordPress functions discoverable and accessible to AI agents, automation tools, and developers. Transforms WordPress from isolated functions into a unified system. landed in WordPress 6.9, the WP AI Client is going core in WordPress 7.0, and continued evolution of the MCP AdapterMCP Adapter Translates WordPress abilities into Model Context Protocol format, allowing AI assistants like Claude and ChatGPT to discover and invoke WordPress capabilities as tools, resources, and prompts. and AI PluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/) or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. (which remain canonical for now) has been deeply impressive. There have been contributions from hundreds of folks across the community, with incredible energy at in-person events throughout the year. There’s real momentum behind making WordPress well positioned for the AI era. Jason is in a strong place to carry that forward, surrounded by the contributors and community that has shaped around this work over the past year – with ongoing support from [@jeffpaul](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/) and [@swissspidy](https://profiles.wordpress.org/swissspidy/), both founding members of Core AI. Felix and I both plan to stay involved as advisors as the team continues this work. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far, and thank you to [@matt](https://profiles.wordpress.org/matt/), [@4thhubbard](https://profiles.wordpress.org/4thhubbard/), and [@matveb](https://profiles.wordpress.org/matveb/) for their continued support of this work. ~ James ([@isotropic](https://profiles.wordpress.org/isotropic/)) _Props to [@swissspidy](https://profiles.wordpress.org/swissspidy/) [@jeffpaul](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/) for pre-publish review._ ### Share this: * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2026/05/18/leadership-transition-for-the-core-ai-team/?share=bluesky) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2026/05/18/leadership-transition-for-the-core-ai-team/?share=mastodon) * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2026/05/18/leadership-transition-for-the-core-ai-team/?share=threads) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2026/05/18/leadership-transition-for-the-core-ai-team/?share=x) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2026/05/18/leadership-transition-for-the-core-ai-team/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2026/05/18/leadership-transition-for-the-core-ai-team/?share=linkedin) ### Like this: Like Loading… ### _Related_ 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c95de1e6c222121175c2c0dddf4631d2ea45704938f53332d12710379c6153e6? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [Jeffrey Paul](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/) 6:48 pm _on_ 18 May 2026 3. +make.wordpress.org/core/ +make.wordpress.org/updates/ 4. Loading... 5. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/33252cd1f33526af53580fcb1736172f06e6716f32afdd1be19ec3096d15dea5? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 6. [Matt Mullenweg](https://profiles.wordpress.org/matt/) 6:44 pm _on_ 22 May 2026 7. Huge thanks to James and Felix! Crazy, it’s only been a year, it feels like much longer. And welcome to Jason! Can’t wait to see what’s next. 8. Loading... 9. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4f50dc56c80eceb636a7ef7d036a019a7d4189e8b3f87d9c899e848248ef36d8? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 10. [annezazu](https://profiles.wordpress.org/annezazu/) 6:20 pm _on_ 25 May 2026 11. Thanks for all the effort and care here. 12. Loading... 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