Title: Big Picture Goals for 2026 Author: Mary Hubbard Published: January 23, 2026 --- [ ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/4thhubbard/) [Mary Hubbard](https://profiles.wordpress.org/4thhubbard/) 6:41 pm _on_ January 23, 2026   # Big Picture Goals for 2026 I’ve been here a little over a year now. In that time, I’ve seen what works, where things get stuck, and how much care and effort contributors bring to this project every day. As I shared during [State of the Word](https://wordpress.org/news/2025/12/sotw-2025/), 2026 is about momentum.  Momentum means building on what’s already working, being clearer about direction, and making it easier for people to participate and move forward. It means taking the energy that already exists in this community and turning it into progress that compounds. This is my first time sharing big picture goals with the Make community. My aim is to be clear about priorities and direction, while keeping the door wide open for collaboration. WordPress works because contributors show up. 2026 is about making it easier for more people to do exactly that. ### CoreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. Development and WordPress 7.0 2026 will return to [3 releases a year coinciding with our events](https://make.wordpress.org/project/?p=1125). With WordPress 7.0 coinciding with [WordCamp Asia](https://asia.wordcamp.org/2026/). 7.0 aims to offer a significant step into [Phase 3: Collaboration](https://wordpress.org/about/roadmap/), with real-time co-editing bringing Google Docs-style collaboration directly into the Editor.  Efforts are underway to unlock powerful new workflows through the Abilities APIAPI An API or Application Programming Interface is a software intermediary that allows programs to interact with each other and share data in limited, clearly defined ways.-powered Command Palette and a standardized WP AI Client API, enabling plugins and hosts to integrate AI assistants in a provider-agnostic way. Media handling will take a major leap forward in 7.0 with the graduation of client- side media processing into Core. Image resizing, compression, and format handling will increasingly happen directly in the browser, dramatically reducing server load while delivering faster, more reliable uploads for creators. On the styling front, customization of mobile menus and responsive editing controls will finally give creators the ability to tailor layouts for different screen sizes and hide blocks by viewport, addressing a long-requested community need. The introduction of simplified pattern editing alongside new blocks like Tabs and Icon expands the creative toolkit available out of the box, making design more intuitive for a wider range of creators. Together, these features represent a cohesive push toward a more collaborative, intelligent, and responsive WordPress experience. [[Get Involved with WordPress Core]](https://make.wordpress.org/core/) ### AI Everywhere, With Clear Guardrails and Benchmarks WordPress will continue to invest in AI in a focused, intentional way. The goal is to make WordPress easier to use, easier to build with, and easier to contribute to, across the entire experience. [Guided by the AI building blocks,](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2025/07/17/ai-building-blocks/) AI in WordPress will prioritize a few practical outcomes: * Helping people create, edit, and refine content where they already work. * Reducing friction in site building, configuration, and common workflows. * Supporting contributors and users with clearer guidance, context, and next steps. * Lowering the barrier to contribution by helping people find and complete meaningful work. At the same time, the Core AI team will publish project-wide guidelines for AI usage within WordPress. These guidelines will focus on transparency, user control, data responsibility, and alignment with WordPress values. As AI becomes more embedded across the project, shared expectations matter, both for contributors and for the broader ecosystem. [[Read More from the Core AI Team]](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/) ### Revamping Meetups Meetups are the primary front door to the community. Let’s be more intentional about getting new people involved quickly. As more contributors come in through initiatives like education programs, like Campus Connect and WordPress Credits, mentors should help them find a local meetupMeetup All local/regional gatherings that are officially a part of the WordPress world but are not WordCamps are organized through [https://www.meetup.com/](https://www.meetup.com/). A meetup is typically a chance for local WordPress users to get together and share new ideas and seek help from one another. Searching for ‘WordPress’ on meetup.com will help you find options in your area.. Meetups are often the first place WordPress feels real. They are local, human, and reputable. Many WordCamps started as meetups, and that pathway still matters. This year, we want to double down on meetups as places of active participation, not passive attendance. As AI tools become more common across the web, the need for shared learning increases. Meetups are where people can sit side by side, learn how these tools actually fit into WordPress workflows, and build confidence together. AI moves fast and we can develop better understanding, judgment, and together as a community. That means prioritizing issue-focused sessions where people work together on real problems, hands-on learning tied to actual WordPress needs, and clear next steps that move people from meetup participation into contribution. Meetups are where people build confidence, relationships, and momentum. When they work well, they turn curiosity into commitment. That is why they remain the primary front door to WordPress in 2026. [[Find a Meetup]](https://www.meetup.com/pro/wordpress/) | [[Start a Meetup]](https://central.wordcamp.org/meetup-organizer-application/) ### Community, Education, and the Contributor Pipeline WordPress education programs are scaling quickly. [WordPress Credits](https://wordpress.org/education/credits/) and [WordPress Campus Connect](https://wordpress.org/education/campus-connect/) have students arriving ready to participate and eager to contribute. The project needs to be much clearer about where new contributors should go next and how they get started. Program managers can help connect student groups to Make teams, but that only works if each team is prepared to receive them. I’d like to ask the Make teams to help make this possible by: * Maintaining clear onboarding materials and contribution paths. * Identifying approachable first issues or starter tasks. * Encouraging mentors who can help new contributors get oriented and moving. Education is becoming one of WordPress’s strongest growth engines. It brings in new voices, fresh perspectives, and people eager to learn. As contribution continues to grow, the long-requested [Contributor Dashboard](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/12/20/project-thread-contributor-dashboard-pilot-project/) will help make that work more visible.  Over time, we want to move toward WordPress Foundation credentials that help standardize how WordPress skills are understood and communicated. These credentials would reflect what someone knows, what they can do, and how they work, giving employers a clearer signal when hiring for WordPress-related roles. [[Learn More About WordPress Education Programs]](https://wordpress.org/education/) ### Share this: * [ Threads ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2026/01/23/big-picture-goals-for-2026/?share=threads) * [ Mastodon ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2026/01/23/big-picture-goals-for-2026/?share=mastodon) * [ Bluesky ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2026/01/23/big-picture-goals-for-2026/?share=bluesky) * [ X ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2026/01/23/big-picture-goals-for-2026/?share=x) * [ Facebook ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2026/01/23/big-picture-goals-for-2026/?share=facebook) * [ LinkedIn ](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2026/01/23/big-picture-goals-for-2026/?share=linkedin) * [Login to Reply](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fproject%2F2026%2F01%2F23%2Fbig-picture-goals-for-2026%2F%23respond&locale=en_US) 1. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fe4bb42f5cfd28c796ed7b2dffb299ad49f14d3cd3ed4abf1b648244f6771863? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 2. [T](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mateitudor/) 2:56 pm _on_ January 26, 2026 3. Please please please consider making the “AI” an _opt-in_ feature. You may want“ AI everywhere” but I want “AI” **nowhere** near anything I make. Thanks in advance. 4. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/118da268a0c363731e91a800b9cbd55a95988ea50d8762452f0e1fdcf1c2365b? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Mary Hubbard](https://profiles.wordpress.org/4thhubbard/) 4:09 pm _on_ January 26, 2026 * There is no plan for WordPress to automatically use AI or inject it into sites. AI is intended to be optional and opt-in, surfaced through plugins or themes, and always under the control of the site owner. * I’d encourage you to join the discussions in #coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress.-ai to help shape how this works. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fe4bb42f5cfd28c796ed7b2dffb299ad49f14d3cd3ed4abf1b648244f6771863? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [T](https://profiles.wordpress.org/mateitudor/) 5:15 pm _on_ March 21, 2026 - For whomever reads this, this is a straight up lie. The slopification is opt-out: [https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2026/03/19/ai-contributor-weekly-summary-18-march-2026/](https://make.wordpress.org/ai/2026/03/19/ai-contributor-weekly-summary-18-march-2026/) * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/629816b02cf290becaead8afbfb01622c182c0059ce2497ffe33685757d715f6? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [James LePage](https://profiles.wordpress.org/isotropic/) 6:12 pm _on_ March 23, 2026 * Hi. I’d like to better understand what makes you think this – it’s not accurate at all. I don’t believe you reading two bullet points is enough to constitute this as “a straight up lie”, as you said. * [Here we’ve introduced an easy flag to understand if the consumer has enabled or disabled AI features.](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/62067) * On this thread, It looks like you’ve engaged and been [given a grounded, and accurate answer](https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/pull/11149) by a respected senior CoreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. AI contributor, [@justlevine](https://profiles.wordpress.org/justlevine/). Yet still published this comment. * David’s explanation is on the nose: * > they are opt-in […] The only way to use AI functionality is to install > a 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./write code that implements > AI functionality. What’s currently in core are the underlying APIAPI > An API or Application Programming Interface is a software intermediary > that allows programs to interact with each other and share data in > limited, clearly defined ways. primitives, specifically so 3rd parties > don’t need to reinvent the wheel and ‘slop’ their own. * > The purpose of this hook is to let core and 3rd party code gate even > possibly the mention of AI to environments where AI is supported. Just > like before AI, the best way to prevent slop and shoddy code then audit > plugins before you install them. Forcing people to manually set a constant > or filterFilter Filters are one of the two types of Hooks [https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks](https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks). > They provide a way for functions to modify data of other functions. > They are the counterpart to Actions. Unlike Actions, filters are meant > to work in an isolated manner, and should never have side effects such > as affecting global variables and output. after they already intentionally > installed a plugin (assumedly with the intention to use it) seems unnecessary > friction. * WordPress 7.0 ships with no consumer facing AI features. It ships with the code required for plugin developers to build AI features. And even this can be disabled / overridden / filtered as well. * Please explain where you see consumer AI facing features. I would be happy to point to what canonical project or plugin they come from. * As a group, we are always happy to engage in these types of discussions, but there is a lot of effort and thought that has gone into mindfully implementing AI infrastructure into the world’s biggest publishing project, and we need actual points/opinions to discuss for these types of conversations to be productive. 5. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b58eccdd993894e073332c9e7e5dd0c96338140d666174c829fa7ec262a0e20f? s=32&d=mm&r=g) 6. [Winstina](https://profiles.wordpress.org/planningwrite/) 5:11 pm _on_ January 28, 2026 7. Hi Mary, 8. Thank you for sharing the _Big Picture Goals for 2026_. It’s a pleasure to meet you formally, virtually. As someone who has helped organize the NYC WordPress MeetupMeetup All local/regional gatherings that are officially a part of the WordPress world but are not WordCamps are organized through [https://www.meetup.com/](https://www.meetup.com/). A meetup is typically a chance for local WordPress users to get together and share new ideas and seek help from one another. Searching for ‘WordPress’ on meetup. com will help you find options in your area. for nearly a decade—including most recently an event on January 13—I found your emphasis on momentum, clarity, and participation genuinely encouraging. 9. This feels like the first real opportunity many of us in local leadership have had to engage directly with your vision as Executive Director, and I appreciate the openness you’ve brought to that conversation. 10. I was especially heartened by the focus on meetups as places of active participation. For many organizers and attendees with careers outside the WordPress ecosystem( I’m a career transportation planner working in government), local meetups are often the primary—sometimes only—way to stay meaningfully connected. For those of us who can’t attend flagship events or join SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform [https://slack.com/](https://slack.com/). The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at [https://make.wordpress.org/chat/](https://make.wordpress.org/chat/) meetings that fall during the workday, it can feel like being locked out of the present and future of WordPress—even as we continue holding the local front door open. Flagship events are valuable, but they don’t always align with a traditional 9–5 workday, which makes the local front door even more important. They’re also where long-time community members—some who have been using WordPress for 15 or 20 years like myself—continue to contribute their experience, mentorship, and institutional memory in ways that aren’t always visible elsewhere. 11. With that in mind, I’d love to better understand how organizers will be supported as this vision takes shape: 12. **Communication:** How do you envision updates reaching organizers who may not be active in Slack due to outside work commitments? **Campus Connect:** Will there be a more structured way for meetups to connect with students, or should we expect this to remain largely an ad hoc process? **Equity and corporate support:** As a woman of color, I often find myself navigating these spaces as one of a few, and generally access to corporate relationships for food or venue support can be uneven. How is WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. [https://wordpress.org/](https://wordpress.org/) thinking about improving these conditions as this work continues? In particular, are there plans to facilitate direct connections with corporate partners who could support venues and food for local events? 13. What’s the best way to follow up with you on these questions outside of a flagship WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/).? 14. I offer these reflections with deep care for the WordPress ecosystem and a genuine love for this community. Local organizers—and long-time users who have quietly sustained WordPress for decades—have been keeping the front door open for many years. My hope is that as the project evolves, we’re supported in stewarding it together with care into 2026. 15. Warmly, 16. Winstina 17. * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/118da268a0c363731e91a800b9cbd55a95988ea50d8762452f0e1fdcf1c2365b? s=32&d=mm&r=g) * [Mary Hubbard](https://profiles.wordpress.org/4thhubbard/) 9:26 pm _on_ January 28, 2026 * @winstina Thank you for such a thoughtful note and for the years you’ve put into keeping the local front door open. * For communication, we’re exploring a few different ways. We are starting to ramp up information through /News. There’s been talk about bringing back the WordPress Minute to give consistent updates, and now that I’ve spent my first year in the community I plan on being a lot more vocal and visible. Do you have any suggestions on good places to get info? * On Campus Connect, there are lots of volunteers stabilizing this program to make it structured, repeatable, and scalable. We aren’t fully there yet, but thats the goal. Clear guidance, shared materials, support for students and communities. We’re early but I’m proud of the progress made so far. The intent on this work is consistency and reduced organizer burden. * Corporate support is a great idea. We’re doing what we can, and we’re always actively looking for sponsors. There are limits that we have through WPF but I’d welcome any new ideas around how corporate sponsorship could work. Increasing and improving our global sponsorships for WordCamps is very much a priority. Strong global programs are one of the best ways to create more consistent, equitable support for local communities without putting the burden on organizers to fundraise or rely on personal networks. * If you want to follow up, you can email me at [Mary@wordpress.org](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2026/01/23/big-picture-goals-for-2026/Mary@wordpress.org?output_format=md), find me on Make, or continue the conversation in threads like this. - ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/b58eccdd993894e073332c9e7e5dd0c96338140d666174c829fa7ec262a0e20f? s=32&d=mm&r=g) - [Winstina](https://profiles.wordpress.org/planningwrite/) 12:10 am _on_ January 29, 2026 - Mary, I appreciate the clarity you’re bringing to leading our project and how you’re thinking about communication pathways, scale, and repeatability across the ecosystem. - A few concrete opportunities I see: - **Communication:** Meetup.com already has direct messaging to communities. The Community Team recently used this to contact our local meetupMeetup All local/regional gatherings that are officially a part of the WordPress world but are not WordCamps are organized through [https://www.meetup.com/](https://www.meetup.com/). A meetup is typically a chance for local WordPress users to get together and share new ideas and seek help from one another. Searching for ‘WordPress’ on meetup.com will help you find options in your area. communities about an upcoming flagship WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what they’ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. [Learn more](https://central.wordcamp.org/about/).— that same mechanism could be used to send updates directly to Meetup leadership email inboxes. Since only a fraction of organizers regularly engage with Make or this P2P2 P2 or O2 is the term people use to refer to the Make WordPress blog. It can be found at [https://make.wordpress.org](https://make.wordpress.org/), meeting leaders where they already are would strengthen communication. - **Campus Connect:** There’s real potential in identifying where participants live and making direct introductions to nearby Meetup organizers. That connective tissue—rather than passive discovery—would help students be naturally woven into existing structures. Students remain underrepresented in many meetups due to age and access barriers, yet there’s shared excitement around nurturing the generation that will take on this work. Intentional introductions—through the direct messaging mechanism I mentioned above or through GatherPress— make that energy actionable. - **Corporate support: **A concrete step would be working with the Community Team to craft a clear 2026 and 2027 outreach script for engaging companies about meetup sponsorship—and allowing organizers to reference your backing directly or CC you in those conversations. That explicit support signals organizers aren’t holding doors open alone. While I may not be able to take time off work to meet in person at events that fall within my workday, the opportunity to email you and loopLoop The Loop is PHP code used by WordPress to display posts. Using The Loop, WordPress processes each post to be displayed on the current page, and formats it according to how it matches specified criteria within The Loop tags. Any HTML or PHP code in the Loop will be processed on each post. [https://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop](https://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop) you in on sponsor outreach would be phenomenal. - These structural shifts could clarify authority, reduce uncertainty, and strengthen the pipeline between people, programs, and places. - I’m grateful for the balance you’re striking between vision and process, and for your openness to dialogue here. Looking forward to continuing the conversation! ### Leave a Reply 󠀁[Cancel reply](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2026/01/23/big-picture-goals-for-2026/?output_format=md#respond)󠁿 You must be [logged in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fmake.wordpress.org%2Fproject%2F2026%2F01%2F23%2Fbig-picture-goals-for-2026%2F&locale=en_US) to post a comment. # Post navigation [← Project Thread: Contributor Dashboard Pilot Project](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2025/12/20/project-thread-contributor-dashboard-pilot-project/) [The Contributor Dashboard Pilot is Live: What’s Next? →](https://make.wordpress.org/project/2026/03/04/the-contributor-dashboard-pilot-is-live-whats-next/)