WordPress Next Phase: Mullenweg Shares Future Plans

Matt Mullenweg recently discussed the future of WordPress, highlighting three key reasons why the platform is poised for continued growth. He also shared insights into his approach to succession planning.

In a podcast interview, Mullenweg outlined how WordPress is adapting to technological advancements in several critical areas. These include improved security measures, AI integration, and efforts to reduce technical debt, ensuring the platform remains efficient and scalable.

Additionally, he addressed the long-term leadership of WordPress, stressing the need for a clear and decisive vision to guide its future development.

Mullenweg outlined four ways WordPress is improving in the near future:

Plugins and themes will become more secure.
The suitability of AI integration with WordPress ensures its continued relevance.
WordPress is addressing technical debt.
Governance and succession planning will help maintain WordPress’s strength.

WordPress Will Become More Secure

One of WordPress’s biggest strengths is its vast ecosystem of third-party themes and plugins, which allow users to customise their websites to meet specific needs. However, this flexibility also comes with risks, as most security vulnerabilities in WordPress arise from coding flaws in plugins and themes, as well as users failing to update their third-party software regularly.

To address security concerns, Matt Mullenweg highlighted existing measures such as bug bounties, where individuals are rewarded for discovering and responsibly reporting vulnerabilities. However, he acknowledged that relying solely on human detection is not enough, as the scale of the problem surpasses human capabilities.

Looking ahead, Mullenweg anticipates that security risks associated with plugins and themes will decrease thanks to advancements in AI-powered code scanning. These tools will be able to analyse millions of lines of code, identifying patterns that indicate common vulnerabilities.

He explained that while WordPress core has not had a remote exploit in several years, plugin security remains a frequent challenge. Mullenweg expressed enthusiasm for automated scanning, believing it could significantly enhance the security of open-source software by identifying issues before they become widespread problems.

AI-Powered Website Building

Matt Mullenweg envisions a future where AI plays an even bigger role in WordPress, evolving it into a platform that AI can use to build websites for users. He acknowledges that this transformation is already underway, with some web hosting providers incorporating AI-powered chatbot interfaces to assist users in website creation.

According to Mullenweg, AI excels at writing code, but maintaining and updating that code over time presents challenges. This is where WordPress provides a solution. The platform, which relies on PHP and other underlying technologies, is continuously updated and improved. As a result, AI can leverage WordPress as a stable foundation to build upon without needing to manage the technical upkeep of the core software.

Mullenweg also emphasised that this open-source approach is more powerful than relying on closed-source systems. While some might view AI as a threat to platforms like WordPress, he sees it as an opportunity. The ability for AI to integrate with and enhance WordPress rather than replace it ensures the platform’s relevance as AI continues to advance.

He explained that AI-generated websites currently rely on custom code, but the next evolution of AI will involve open-source models that install and build on WordPress. This means users will benefit from continuous updates, security improvements, and new features such as passkey support, while AI customisations can be layered on top. Mullenweg believes this approach is far more effective than developing proprietary systems from scratch.

Technical Debt Needs To Be Addressed

Lenny points out that every acquisition comes with the hidden cost of maintenance, a concept that Mullenweg agrees with. He draws a parallel to WordPress, highlighting the challenge of technical debt. This term refers to the accumulation of outdated code, growing complexity, and past development choices that make future improvements more difficult.

Mullenweg explains that many large companies, even those with substantial market value, carry significant technical debt. This debt arises from the way their products interact with each other, often leading to inefficiencies. He acknowledges that WordPress faces similar challenges, admitting that some aspects of both WordPress and WordPress.com are not at the standard they should be. Due to the vast scope of the platform and a relatively small development team, certain areas have not received the attention they require.

To address this, Mullenweg states that WordPress is making it a priority to refocus on its core functionality. The plan for the year ahead involves revisiting neglected areas, refining the platform, and removing outdated or unnecessary features. Over the past 21 years, numerous additions have been made to WordPress, but not all of them remain relevant today. By simplifying and optimising the platform, WordPress aims to enhance its long-term efficiency and usability.

Governance and Leadership

Mullenweg addressed a common misconception about WordPress, clarifying that it is not solely led by a single individual but operates as a true community-driven project. He explained that most decisions are made by committees composed of core contributors who actively shape the platform’s development. However, while WordPress thrives on collective input, he also emphasised the importance of strong leadership to guide its direction.

According to Mullenweg, having a final decision-maker does not weaken WordPress but rather strengthens it. He believes that decisive leadership ensures the project remains focused and adaptable, rather than becoming stagnant or overly bureaucratic.

On the subject of project leadership and succession planning, Mullenweg shared his perspective. He highlighted that WordPress is maintained by hundreds of volunteers who contribute daily, making key decisions and driving its evolution. While there has been significant delegation within the organisation, there remains a clear hierarchy, with Mullenweg serving as the ultimate decision-maker when necessary.

He also acknowledged that succession planning is something he considers carefully. However, rather than transferring leadership to a committee, he envisions passing the responsibility to a single individual who can take on a similar role to his own. He believes this approach will help maintain WordPress’s vision and ensure its continued growth under strong, dedicated leadership.

Takeaways

WordPress Security
Matt Mullenweg outlined three key plans to enhance WordPress in the near future, acknowledging that the biggest security challenges come from plugins and themes. However, he highlighted that advancements in AI technology will play a crucial role in mitigating these risks, making WordPress more secure.

WordPress as a Market Leader
Mullenweg expressed confidence that WordPress will continue to dominate the market, positioning itself as the engine that powers website development in the future. Unlike closed-source platforms, WordPress provides businesses with the flexibility to build AI-driven functionalities on top of its free, open-source CMS, offering a distinct advantage.

Addressing Technical Debt
He also acknowledged that WordPress carries years of accumulated technical debt, which includes outdated code and complexity that need to be streamlined. To ensure long-term efficiency, WordPress is prioritising efforts to clean up its codebase and improve system performance.

According to Mullenweg, WordPress’s adaptability, focus on technology, and commitment to improving its infrastructure will secure its long-term stability.

WordPress Leadership & Governance
Lastly, he spoke about WordPress governance, emphasising that it is fundamentally a community-led project. While most decisions are made by individual contributors, he sees his role as the final decision-maker when necessary.

He argued that the best software results from a balance between committee-driven development and strong leadership to maintain long-term vision. Additionally, he noted that the open-source nature of WordPress acts as a system of checks and balances, as contributors always have the option to fork the project and create their own versions if they disagree with its direction.