September 3, 2025 — Ever wished you could add a little something extra to a Gutenberg block’s HTML without resorting to hacky workarounds? Meet the WP_HTML_Tag_Processor – a powerful yet approachable tool in WordPress core that lets you modify HTML tag attributes on the fly. We’ll explore how to harness this new API to safely tweak the output of core blocks and make them do your bidding (no advanced wizardry required, but having some knowledge on how to customize blocks would be helpful!). We’ll start with a quick intro to what WP_HTML_Tag_Processor is and why it makes customizing blocks easier (hint: no more fragile regex or heavy DOM parsing). Then we’ll dive into practical examples that developers of all levels can appreciate. For instance, you’ll learn how to lazy-load videos (both the core block and cover). Next, we’ll show how to sprinkle custom attributes on column blocks (imagine adding a role when the columns are more representative of a list) to adapt core layouts to your project’s needs. Presented byRory Heaney

September 3, 2025 — Open source software runs on passion, but passion doesn’t pay the bills. WordPress powers over 40% of the web, yet many of the people maintaining it aren’t funded. That’s starting to change, and your company can be part of it. In this talk, we’ll explore how sponsored contribution works, why it matters, and how companies, big and small, can participate. We’ll walk through my experience working within my company to sponsor contributors: from promoting the idea internally, identifying key areas of the WordPress project to support, finding and interviewing contributors, and building an internal framework for long-term sponsorship. You’ll hear real examples from contributors we support, and we’ll talk honestly about challenges like ROI, alignment, and accountability. Whether you’re a founder, product leader, or agency owner, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to start supporting the people behind the platform your business relies on. Presented byRoger Williams

September 3, 2025 — Machine learning has been around for decades. Until recently, running ML models typically required big centralized servers due to high computational demands. With modern hardware and tools like Rust and Burn, we can flip the script. When run on a user’s device, trained models can be an incredible boost to human creativity and expression. Harper is a grammar checker that is designed to improve your work without degrading your integrity—or the writing experience itself. Our users generate and publish novel ideas faster because we focus on what’s important: speed, privacy, and accuracy. WordPress’ mission is to democratize publishing. This talk will explore how we can use AI to democratize writing too. More importantly, how you can train and deploy specialized models at the edge to eliminate inference costs, lower latency, and improve user satisfaction. Presented by Elijah Potter

September 3, 2025 — For millennia, humans have engaged in the creation and ritualization of experiences to enrich our lives and promote mental well-being, such as meditation and mindfulness practices. Despite this extensive history and its foundation in the science of neuroplasticity, most people do not think of experiences as medicine, certainly not in the same way they view pills. Dr. Gazzaley will share his two decades of research into advancing technology-based experiences as medicine for the mind. Notably, he will present his pioneering inventions of closed-loop video games as the first and currently only FDA-approved video game treatments. He will then explore the next generation of experiential medicine that integrates advancements in artificial intelligence with sensory immersion, multimodal physiological recordings, non-invasive brain stimulation, and psychedelics to enhance human cognition. While artificial intelligence does pose significant threats to our future on this planet, this journey represents a new frontier of human potential where AI and the brain unite to improve our lives and redefine the essence of humanity.

September 3, 2025 — This talk explores how AI can be used to automatically fix detected website errors and boost overall site performance. Along the way, I’ll share key lessons we’ve learned from working with AI—along with the challenges and roadblocks you might encounter too. The goal of this talk is to spark your curiosity about the kinds of tools you can build with AI and the tasks you can automate. Presented byArnas Donauskas

September 3, 2025 — Handing the keys to a shiny new site over to clients is always a nerve-wracking experience. In this technical session, we’ll look at how to leverage modern CSS alongside the block editor to take the anxiety out of client handoffs by building resilient web experiences with fluid design. We’ll start by reviewing fluid design concepts and examining fluid options available in the theme.json file. Then we’ll move to building a real-world, fluid custom block that adapts to its surroundings – giving content editors power without the need to expose complex responsive controls. We’ll close with a discussion of how embracing fluid modalities can be a win for everyone by enabling faster developer workflows, easier content management, and cleaner frontend interfaces. Attendees will leave with practical tips to deliver websites that are elegant, adaptable, and bulletproof for content management teams – all while writing less code. Bring your laptops, questions, and an open mind and let’s explore building resilient websites for the future! Presented byAnton Plauche

September 3, 2025 — It’s been over a decade since Atomic Design brought the world of digital design systems into the modern era. With the introduction of the block editor, and further expansion into Full Site Editing, WordPress has never been better suited to delivering modular, systemic, and consistent content editing experiences. However, without putting thought into the process of creating content, the editor interface becomes frustrating and complicated, and the experience of the end user often suffers as a result. We will discuss how incorporating User Experience tools to your workflow (including user research, information architecture, and design systems) can improve the content creation experience. We will also discuss how new and upcoming tools will make these system-driven editing experiences better, and how we can continue to improve the WordPress editor as we have more of these conversations. Presented byMichelle Schulp Hunt

September 3, 2025 — If you’re a PHP developer who’s curious about ReactJS but not sure where to start, then this is the perfect talk for you. In this presentation, we’ll break React down into concepts you already know from PHP, like templates, routing, and state, and show how these translate into React’s component-based approach. Along the way, we’ll cover practical tips and strategies to make learning React easier, from adding it to existing PHP projects to building confidence with JSX and hooks. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for learning React step by step and the tools to make the transition smooth (and maybe even fun!). Presented by Jemima Abu

September 3, 2025 — A group presentation from the Core AI team on what we’re building. Progress since the team formation, next steps, implementation examples, and an open Q&A. Read more about the formation of the WordPress AI team. Presented byJames LePageFelix ArntzJeffrey PaulMatías Ventura

September 3, 2025 —  Learn about how Google Search is using the latest technologies to better meet and serve user expectations and connect searchers with high-quality content on the open web.