Automattic, the powerhouse behind WordPress.com, has just introduced an innovative AI tool aimed at enhancing the clarity and brevity of blog posts. This new feature, dubbed “Write Brief with AI,” is set to transform how bloggers craft their content.
The tool joins a growing lineup of AI-driven writing assistants, including those from tech giants like Google and Proton. What sets Automattic’s offering apart is its seamless integration into the WordPress ecosystem, making advanced AI capabilities readily accessible to millions of users.
“Write Brief with AI” builds on the generative AI writing assistant that Automattic launched for WordPress last year. This new tool assists users in constructing content using text-based prompts, allowing for adjustments in tone to make posts more informal or empathetic. It’s a versatile companion for bloggers aiming to connect more effectively with their audience.
Currently in beta, “Write Brief with AI” is available through Jetpack, a suite of features designed to enhance the functionality of WordPress.com-hosted websites. During the beta phase, the tool is free and exclusively available for WordPress.com sites, accessible via the Jetpack icon in the top right of the editor.
One of the standout features of “Write Brief with AI” is its ability to simplify sentences. Users can identify overly verbose descriptions and click a “Suggest” button to automatically streamline their writing. This is particularly useful for maintaining reader engagement and ensuring content is concise.
The tool also helps users boost their confidence in their writing. It flags tentative language, such as frequent use of the word “possibly,” and suggests more assertive alternatives. By doing so, it empowers writers to convey their messages more convincingly.
To further enhance readability, “Write Brief with AI” provides a readability score based on three key metrics: complexity, sentence length, and confidence. This side-panel feature offers valuable insights, helping writers craft content that is both engaging and easy to understand.
Automattic’s strategic position in the web development world gives it a unique edge. As a major contributor to the open-source WordPress project and the developer behind the commercial WordPress.com platform, Automattic’s integration of AI tools is poised for significant adoption. This move underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging AI to improve user experience across its vast platform.
The inception of “Write Brief with AI” can be traced back to an in-house hack week project. Its internal success prompted Automattic to roll it out publicly. “We saw just how useful and beloved it quickly became, and decided to release it into the world,” explained Noam Almosnino, a senior product designer at Automattic.
While the broader AI writing assistant supports a dozen languages, “Write Brief with AI” is currently limited to English. However, given its potential impact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see additional language support in future updates.
