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Automattic this week began rolling out a built-in AI assistant for sites hosted on WordPress.com, letting owners reshape page layouts, edit copy and generate images using conversational commands. The change brings generative tools directly into the site editor, shortening the gap between an idea and live updates for publishers and small businesses.
What the assistant can do
The new tool is embedded inside the WordPress.com editor and responds to plain-language requests rather than rigid prompts. Site operators can ask the assistant to alter design elements, tweak writing, or create visuals without leaving the dashboard.
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- Layout and style edits: Tell the assistant to change pacing, spacing, color schemes or typography, and see updates applied to the site in real time.
- Content rewriting and translation: Request tone adjustments — for example, make a bio sound more confident — or translate sections into another language.
- Editorial support: Use the assistant as an editor for headline alternatives, grammar edits and basic fact checks inside the collaborative block notes editor.
- Image generation and editing: A “Generate Image” option in the Media Library uses Google Gemini’s Nano Banana models to create or modify visuals with specified aspect ratios and styles.
How it fits into the WordPress editor
The assistant integrates with modern WordPress workflows: it appears in the block editor and within the collaborative block notes experience introduced in recent releases. Editors can summon it by typing @ai in block notes to receive inline suggestions, including cited links when relevant.
Important: the assistant works only with block themes. Sites running classic themes will not see the feature in their editor.
Turning it on — step by step
Activation is optional. Site owners who want to try the assistant can enable it from their account without technical changes:
- Open your WordPress.com dashboard and go to your Sites list.
- Select the site name, then choose Settings.
- Scroll to the AI tools section and toggle Enable AI assistant on.
Sites created with WordPress.com’s AI website builder will have the assistant enabled automatically.
Why this matters now
As publishers and small teams juggle content, design and localization, having generative tools inside the editor can speed routine tasks and lower the barrier to iterative design. For newsrooms and bloggers, that could mean faster headline testing and quicker multilingual publishing; for small businesses, simpler layout changes without a developer.
At the same time, the feature reinforces a broader shift: major web platforms are embedding generative AI into core editing tools rather than shipping it as a separate app. That makes the capabilities immediately accessible, but it also raises the practical need for human oversight — particularly for fact checks and editorial judgment.
Quick checklist for site owners
- Confirm your site uses a block theme if you want in-editor AI features.
- Consider enabling the assistant first on a staging or low-traffic site to review suggested changes.
- Use the assistant for drafts and options, then perform manual checks before publishing.
