WP Builds This Week in WordPress #362
Jan 20, 2026
Andrew Palmer, hosting lead at Atarim, and Marcus Burnette from Bluehost, share their insights on the future of AI in WordPress. They discuss upcoming changes with WordPress 7.0 and the dropping of older PHP support. The conversation dives into the implications of AI-generated plugins, community roles, and shifts in event management. Another highlight includes the decline in Stack Overflow traffic due to AI usage, raising concerns about community-driven content. The panel also emphasizes the importance of adaptation as trends evolve in the WordPress ecosystem.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Podcast Transcription Workflow
- Nathan reached episode 200 of the WP Tavern podcast and transcribes episodes manually.
- He uses AI for a first pass but still edits every word himself for accuracy.
AI Spurs One-Off Tools, But Platforms Matter
- AI may shift the WordPress economy toward bespoke, one-off automations for individual needs.
- Plugins tying into broad platforms (membership, LMS) still have strong long-term value.
Choose When To DIY With AI
- If you lack development skills or the feature is mission-critical, hire an experienced developer instead of DIY with AI.
- Use AI-built tools for low-risk, disposable utilities only if you can maintain them.