Open-source leader with 290+ AI modules announces major coordinated initiative
Transforms organic community innovation into unified product vision with industry backing
Establishes dedicated AI team drawn from leading agencies to provide coordinated innovation at scale
June 9, 2025 – Portland, Oregon - Drupal today launched the Drupal AI Initiative, a comprehensive effort to democratize intelligent digital experiences for everyone and drive responsible AI innovation. With over 290 AI modules already available and integrations spanning 21 major providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS Bedrock, Azure, and Google Vertex, Drupal, the leading open-source CMS, has built substantial momentum in AI adoption. The new initiative channels this community-driven innovation into a coordinated product vision with dedicated leadership, funding, and strategic direction.
The initiative establishes a dedicated Drupal AI team drawn from top agencies globally, unified by an AI strategy that prioritizes human expertise over technological replacement. While most technology companies build AI systems that replace human decision-making, Drupal's AI approach centers on collaboration—amplifying expertise rather than replacing it.
"Drupal already has a head start with our growing ecosystem of AI modules and active community," said Dries Buytaert, Drupal Founder and Project Lead. "What we are doing now is turning that creative energy into a coordinated product vision.”
The Drupal AI Initiative promises to fundamentally change how organizations approach digital experiences. Teams will create engaging, targeted content in days rather than weeks, while AI agents handle routine tasks like performance optimization and audience targeting. Content creators will focus on strategy and creativity as AI manages translation, layout generation, and SEO optimization automatically. The result is faster time-to-market for campaigns, better performance insights, consistent brand voice, and marketing teams freed from manual work to concentrate on strategic innovation.
A Different Philosophy
Most AI solutions force organizations to choose between powerful capabilities and meaningful control. Drupal's strategy is built around four principles:
AI-Human Partnership: Technology that makes people more capable, not less relevant
Comprehensive Trust Infrastructure: Advanced governance framework with approval workflows, audit trails, and compliance tools for responsible AI management
True Freedom of Choice: Use any AI provider without vendor lock-in
Community-Driven Innovation: Development guided by real-world needs, not corporate roadmaps
"We're not just adding AI features," said Dries Buytaert, Drupal Founder and Project Lead. "We're rethinking what responsible AI leadership looks like. This is about building a foundation that organizations can trust with their most important digital experiences."
Industry Leadership and AI Team
The initiative launches with unprecedented support from leading Drupal agencies worldwide, including founding members FreelyGive, Dropsolid, 1xINTERNET, Salsa Digital, Acquia, and additional sponsorship from amazee. This collaboration represents the equivalent of multiple full-time roles committed to development, with dedicated technical leads, UX designers and project managers.
Jamie Abrahams (FreelyGive), Baddý Breidert (1xINTERNET), Christoph Breidert (1xINTERNET), Dominique De Cooman (Dropsolid), and Kristen Pol (Salsa Digital) lead the initiative, representing the founding member agencies and bringing together diverse expertise in innovation, coordination, development, marketing, and community engagement.
Resources
Strategy Document: drupal.org/ai/strategy
Drupal AI Landing Page: drupal.org/ai
Dries’ Announces the AI Initiative: https://dri.es/accelerating-ai-innovation-in-drupal
About Drupal Drupal powers over 500,000 websites worldwide, including NASA, the BBC, and government agencies across six continents. Since 2001, this open-source platform has helped organizations create flexible, secure digital experiences while maintaining complete control over their technology. Recognized as a Digital Public Good, Drupal generates an estimated $3.5 billion annually through its global ecosystem of agencies and service providers.
Media Contact
Ryan Witcombe (Australia)
Director, Product Marketing, Drupal Association
ryan.witcombe@association.drupal.org
+61 3 431 983 295
Nick Koger (USA)
Manager, Product Marketing, Drupal Association
nick.koger@association.drupal.org
+1 410 868 6425
Overview
Welcome to the comprehensive user guide for the IXP (Incentivizing Experience Program) Initiative platform. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for all participants in the IXP program, from initial registration to final approval and credit allocation.
The IXP Initiative connects organizations with inexperienced Drupal developers, creating structured pathways for professional growth while providing companies with 250 contribution credits (valued at approximately $25,000) for each successfully completed engagement.
IXP Program Application Portal
The IXP management platform serves as the central hub for all program activities. Here, organizations register, create engagements, track progress, and manage the complete lifecycle of IXP fellowships.
Who This Guide Is For
This documentation serves three primary user types:
Company Administrators
Organizations leading IXP initiatives within their companies, responsible for:
Initial company registration and setup
Managing team member access and permissions
Creating and overseeing IXP engagements
Requesting job posting coupons when needed
Company Members and Mentors
Team members who work directly with IXP participants, including:
Technical mentors providing hands-on guidance
Project managers overseeing IXP assignments
HR representatives supporting the program
IXP Users (Inexperienced Developers)
Developers participating in the program to gain professional experience through:
Structured mentorship (minimum 1 hour per 10 hours worked)
Real-world project experience (minimum 160 paid hours)
Community contribution requirements
Professional development guidance
IXP Reviewers and Volunteers
Community members who support program quality and integrity by:
Reviewing completed engagements for compliance
Managing coupon allocation for job postings
Ensuring program requirements are met before credit approval
Complete User Guide Sections
Follow these sections in order for your first IXP program setup, or jump to specific sections as needed:
Getting Started
Company Registration - Setting up your organization and becoming a Company Admin
Team Setup - Adding mentors and team members to your company group
Platform Navigation - Understanding the interface and key features
Finding and Hiring IXPs
Coupon System - Requesting free job posting coupons for jobs.drupal.org
IXP Registration Process - How developers join and get added to your company
Managing Engagements
Creating Engagements - Setting up new IXP fellowships with case numbers
Progress Reporting - Bi-weekly reporting requirements for mentors and IXPs
Final Reporting - Completion documentation and requirements
Review and Approval
Review Process - How IXP reviewers evaluate completed engagements
Credit Allocation - Final approval and Drupal Association credit communication
Reference Materials
Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions
Examples and Templates - Sample reports, documentation, and best practices
Program Workflow Overview
The IXP program follows a structured workflow designed to ensure quality experiences and proper documentation:
Phase 1: Setup (1-2 weeks)
Company Admin registers and gets approved
Team members join as Company Members
IXP candidates register as IXP Users
Company group membership is established
Phase 2: Job Posting (Optional)
Request coupon for free jobs.drupal.org posting
Create and publish IXP job listing
Interview and select candidates
Add selected IXP to company group
Phase 3: Engagement Creation
Create IXP Engagement with project details
System assigns unique case number (IXP-00000 format)
Move from "Engagement Proposed" to "Engagement Start"
Begin structured mentorship and work assignments
Phase 4: Active Engagement (4-8 weeks typical)
Provide minimum 160 hours of paid work
Maintain 1:10 mentorship ratio (1 hour mentorship per 10 hours work)
Submit bi-weekly progress reports from both mentor and IXP
Document contributions to drupal.org issues
IXP writes blog post about experience
Phase 5: Completion and Review
Submit final reports from both mentor and IXP
Move engagement to "Final Review" status
IXP Reviewer verifies all requirements met
Engagement approved and 250 credits awarded to organization
Key Program Benefits
For Organizations
250 Contribution Credits (~$25,000 value) per completed engagement
Fresh Talent Pipeline with developers trained in your specific practices
Community Recognition through Drupal.org marketplace visibility
Flexible Engagement Structure adaptable to your project needs
For IXP Developers
Paid Professional Experience with minimum 160 hours guaranteed
Structured Mentorship ensuring proper guidance and skill development
Portfolio Development with real-world project examples
Community Integration through required drupal.org contributions
Career Advancement with demonstrable professional experience
For the Drupal Community
Talent Development addressing the experience gap in our ecosystem
Sustainable Growth through structured onboarding of new professionals
Quality Assurance via reviewer oversight and program requirements
Knowledge Sharing through required blog posts and contributions
Getting Support
If you need assistance while using this guide or the IXP platform:
Drupal Slack: Join the #ixp-fellowship channel for real-time support
Platform Issues: Contact site administrators through the IXP management site
Program Questions: Reach out to IXP Initiative coordinators
Documentation Feedback: Help us improve this guide by reporting issues or suggestions
Quick Start Checklist
For New Organizations:
Read this overview and identify your Company Admin
Complete Company Registration process
Add team members through Team Setup
Decide if you need to request coupons for job postings
Plan your first engagement creation
For IXP Developers:
Apply for positions through jobs.drupal.org/ixp-developer-hub
Complete IXP registration when hired
Understand progress reporting requirements
Review contribution requirements for drupal.org and blog posts
For Reviewers:
Understand the review process workflow
Familiarize yourself with program requirements and quality standards
Join the #ixp-fellowship Slack channel for coordination
Ready to get started? Begin with Company Registration to set up your organization's participation in the IXP Initiative.File attachments: frontpage.jpg
Who are you? (biography/background)
In 2009, I co-founded Zoocha, which has grown to become a global digital agency specialising in Drupal and working with clients including United Nations, University of Cambridge, Alzheimer’s Society and British Tourist Authority. With a team of over 90 incredible people, Zoocha is headquartered in the UK and has offices in Spain and Brazil.
Prior to Zoocha, I worked in digital product management and digital marketing, specialising in e-commerce.
I have been involved in the Drupal community for about 15 years and have been a regular speaker at Drupal events internationally. I have been a session reviewer for DrupalCons in Europe and North America for the last 5 years, more recently leading the Agency & Business track for DrupalCon Europe. I also lead the Drupal Swag Shop Working Group, am a director of Drupal England & Wales and DrupalCamp England and am active in the Network of European Drupal Agencies (NEDA), an initiative that is now collaborating with the DA on the plans for a ‘Drupal International Federation’.
I live in Cambridge (UK) with my wife, Anabel and our dog, Daisy. In my spare time, I play tennis and bridge.
https://www.drupal.org/u/zoocha-will
Why are you running for a board seat at the Drupal Association? (mission/motivation)
Growing the ‘Maker’ Community:
A significant contributor to Drupal’s success is the symbiotic relationship it has with digital agencies, and the Drupal Certified Partner (DCP) framework is a powerful enabler for future growth and success. With the launch of Drupal CMS and the initiative to scope a ‘marketplace’ platform, the maker community poised to enter a new era of growth and diversity. I am motivated by the desire to help answer 2 important questions:
How can we extend the reach of the Drupal brand and proposition to drive growth for DCP’s and generate sustainable revenues for Drupal?
What needs to happen to ensure ‘commercialization’ of Drupal does not negatively affect the community or the quality of the product?
Improving Transparency:
I count myself among the most passionate Drupal evangelists and believe the Drupal community to be a healthy, diverse and inclusive one. As the community grows and the governance of Drupal evolves, there will be new challenges to overcome and I am motivated by helping to overcome them. The challenges include:
How can we improve collaboration and transparency of decision making as responsibilities are increasingly split between paid team members at the DA and community volunteers?
Sharing the workload fairly. This is from two perspective:
not over burdening a small group of highly committed community members
not concentrating decision making and control in the hands of a few
Why should members vote for you? (qualifications)
The qualifications I want to highlight are centred around my industry and community insights. My experience in both client side (end user) and agency side roles gives me a rounded perspective of the CMS market, how it is navigated by buyers and how it is sold by agencies. Furthermore, with the UK (and Europe more widely) a significant market for Drupal, with strong growth prospects, I feel that representation on the board is important.
I also bring a community perspective, not only as one of the leaders of the Drupal community in England, but also through my leadership of teams in Spain and Brazil who are increasingly participating in their local Drupal communities.File attachments: willhuggins.jpg
Who are you? (biography/background)
My name is Vladimir Roudakov. I'm from Brisbane, Australia, which has been home for over two decades. I'm a teacher, business owner, and software engineer.
I've been a strong advocate for open source for more than a decade, and I'm a co-organiser for local industry events like the WordPress meetup, Drupal code sprints, and DrupalSouth conferences. I'm an active contributor to Drupal's code, documentation, and community-building initiatives. You can see a list of my contributions on my profile: https://www.drupal.org/u/vladimiraus.
I've also been working with local colleges to introduce the new generation to Drupal development and open source, leveraging the latest trends such as generative intelligence. I have a few insights on how we can better support open source newcomers.
I'm actively involved in other open source communities including Linux Australia, Gitlab, and WordPress, and I'm keen to share their ideas and approaches with the Drupal community.
Why are you running for a board seat at the Drupal Association? (mission/motivation)
My main motivation for running is to improve Drupal's educational impact and documentation. I'd love to have more resources at my disposal to bridge the gap between Drupal and academia, and I believe a board seat would provide the necessary access to those resources. This means building stronger awareness of the Drupal platform and its potential applications in educational settings, and of course, continuously improving Drupal's help resources.
Specifically, I'm passionate about:
Promoting Drupal as the technology of choice in academia: I've seen firsthand, as a teacher, the challenges and opportunities of bringing Drupal into colleges and universities. I want to make it easier for students and educators to get started and continue with Drupal.
Improving Drupal help and learning material: New students and teachers often struggle to find up-to-date Drupal tutorials, which is a major hurdle. I'm keen to tackle this head-on.
Researching how to improve documentation for generative intelligence tools: With AI tools becoming more prevalent, we need to ensure Drupal documentation is not only compatible but also leveraged effectively to stay current and helpful.
Why should members vote for you? (qualifications)
I'm actively working on the above initiatives. Here's why I reckon members should vote for me:
Hands-on experience with documentation and education: I'm co-organising regular documentation and help sprints where teams are actively working to improve user guides, developer tutorials, and API documentation. I'm also working closely with local colleges to identify and address challenges in Drupal adoption within the academic environment.
Cross-community insights: Being an active contributor to other open-source communities like Gitlab and WordPress has given me a fresh perspective on different approaches to community building and contributor recognition. As a Gitlab Hero, I've seen various initiatives to recognise contributors, including special events and MVP announcements. I'm eager to explore how we can apply similar successful strategies to the Drupal community.
Understanding Drupal user needs: As an IT teacher, I get direct feedback from both teachers and students on what works and what doesn't when using Drupal and other CMS platforms. I use this insight to identify gaps in documentation and training materials, which I then work to improve.
Commitment to the community: I've been contributing to Drupal.org for many years as both developer, teacher and organiser, curating regular training sessions, local meetups, and code sprints.
File attachments: VladimirRoudakov.jpg
Who are you? (biography/background)
Maya Schaeffer
Why are you running for a board seat at the Drupal Association? (mission/motivation)
I’m running for a seat on the board because I believe the Drupal community is in a powerful moment of transition—and opportunity. My mission is to contribute to a more inclusive and outward-facing Drupal ecosystem, where marketing, design, communications, and non-technical contributors feel a stronger sense of belonging.
As lead organizer of EvolveDrupal, I’ve helped rebuild the in-person side of the community post-pandemic, connecting over 1,000 attendees (40% from outside the traditional Drupal space) across eight events in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Atlanta, NYC, and Boston (upcoming June 2025). These summits have demonstrated the demand for cross-functional community spaces that showcase Drupal’s relevance across sectors.
I also want to actively contribute to the Promote Drupal initiative and help shape a Drupal Association that prioritizes clear storytelling, accessible entry points, and a strong pipeline for the next generation of users and contributors.
Why should members vote for you? (qualifications)
While I am relatively new to the Drupal community, I believe that’s part of the strength I bring. I offer a fresh, user-focused perspective—one that reflects the experience of many organizations and individuals just beginning their Drupal journey. And in practice, I’ve worked closely with longtime community leaders to make this perspective actionable.
I’ve collaborated with Suzanne Dergacheva, a former DA board member and co-founder of Evolving Web, as well as partnered on community initiatives with Lynne Capozzi, Mike Herschel, and Nikhil Deshpande, among others.
I serve as the lead organizer of EvolveDrupal, a summit series supported by Pantheon, Acquia, and the Drupal Association, designed to grow Drupal’s visibility and invite new contributors into the fold.
At Evolving Web, a Drupal Certified Partner (Diamond Tier), I’ve represented the community at major industry events like Digital Collegium, while contributing to the broader mission of advancing multilingual, accessible, and open-source digital experiences.
If elected, I will bring community energy, strategic event leadership, and a deep commitment to building bridges—between disciplines, regions, and generations.File attachments: mayaheadshot.jpeg
Who are you? (biography/background)
Matt Glaman @mglaman
Mission/motivation
My mission for joining the Drupal Association Board is to catalyze the growth and sustainability of the ecosystem by championing initiatives that empower open-source developers to build viable businesses, thereby ensuring Drupal's continued innovation and market relevance. A key, transformative driver for this is the successful implementation of a marketplace for Drupal site templates, as recently explored by Dries. This aligns perfectly with my long-held conviction that strong financial models for contributors are beneficial and essential for Drupal's future.
My motivation stems from a deep conviction that a robust financial model for contributors is critical for Drupal's future. This marketplace concept offers a powerful solution by:
Generating sustainable revenue for open-source developers: This addresses the long-standing challenge of funding open-source work, providing a clear path for developers to be compensated for their valuable contributions.
Attracting and retaining talent: When developers can build sustainable businesses around Drupal, the platform becomes a far more attractive choice for new and existing talent, fostering a vibrant and innovative community.
Qualifications/why
My 12 years of experience with Drupal, including six dedicated to Drupal Commerce and building a business directly funded by open-source development, gives me a unique perspective on the intersection of open source and commercial viability. I've personally experienced the challenges and opportunities in this space. Furthermore, my own exploration into solving open-source funding through gated releases, as documented on my blog, demonstrates my commitment to finding innovative solutions for the sustainability of our community.
I am eager to bring my practical experience and passionate advocacy for developer empowerment to the Drupal Association Board, working collaboratively to make the marketplace a reality and secure a prosperous future for Drupal.File attachments: mattg.jpg
Matthew Saunders
Drupal.org username: MatthewS
Introduction
I’m Matthew Saunders, a technologist, storyteller, and Drupal evangelist. I’ve been a part of the Drupal community since 2006, attending my first DrupalCon in 2007. Atlanta 2025 was my 26th. I’m a former Board Member of the Drupal Association, Chair of Drupal Colorado, and a founder of Drupalcamp Colorado — the longest-running DrupalCamp in North America. My leadership spans community governance, digital strategy, and accessible technology, with a growing focus on AI and neurodiversity advocacy.
Vision and Impact
I’ve led significant work in the AI space through my role as AI Ambassador for amazee.io. I’ve been building demos, writing policy, and evangelizing data-sovereign, enterprise-grade AI tools for Drupal. I’m also organizing the first Drupal AI hackathon at Drupal GovCon and leading sessions at multiple camps to make AI practical and approachable for site builders.
Parallel to this, I’ve continued my public advocacy for neurodiverse inclusion in tech. My session “The Neurodivergency Superpower: How Diverse Teams Function Better” has been featured at DrupalCon and regional camps. I’ve created a YouTube series (“My Neurodivergent Brain”) and lead Pfizer’s internal podcast on neurodiversity, offering a lived-experience lens to build inclusive cultures in open-source.
Community Contributions
Co-founder and Chair of Drupalcamp Colorado (2007–present)
Volunteer for Drupal GovCon 2025
Founding member, Drupal Event Organizers Working Group (2019-2024)
Spoken at over 30 world-wide events including 10 Drupalcons and numerous camps
Former Director, Drupal Association Board (2013–2016)
Organizer of the first DrupalAI Hackathon (2025, Drupal GovCon)
Admin, Drupal Facebook group
CoC contact
Contributor to community health initiatives
Current Roles
I currently work for amazee.io as their AI Ambassador on the Product Team. I’m Chair of Drupal Colorado. I’m a volunteer with Drupal GovCon. I’m an advisor to the Bluefly Collective. I’m a maintainer for 8 projects. You can see my LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmsaunders/
Why I’m Running Again
Drupal is at an inflection point. With the rapid adoption of AI and an urgent need for inclusive governance, the Drupal Association Board needs leaders with both technical insight and a strong community ethos. I bring both. I want to help shape our strategy around emerging technologies while reinforcing Drupal’s values of openness, accessibility, and shared growth.
Why Vote for Me?
I bring depth and breadth, from technical leadership to community-building, from nonprofit governance to enterprise-scale Drupal strategy. I’ve worked across agencies, startups, global corporations, and grassroots orgs. I’ve served on nonprofit boards, built digital teams, and shown up consistently for the Drupal community for nearly two decades. If elected, I’ll continue to be a connector, a challenger, and a champion for both innovation and inclusion.File attachments: MatthewSaunders.jpeg
Who are you? (biography/background)
I am Carlos Ospina,
I've been working with Drupal for over a decade, spending nearly ten years as a Technical Account Manager at Acquia where I helped organizations solve complex implementation challenges.
Drupal.org username: camoa
Why are you running for a board seat at the Drupal Association? (mission/motivation)
I'm running because I believe Drupal needs board leadership that understands how to build sustainable communities globally, especially in regions that haven't had representation before.
I've spent years working within the Drupal community in both Latin America and the United States. I helped organize DrupalCon Latin America back in 2015, and honestly, I want to bring more opportunities like that to LATAM and other regions that get overlooked.
The thing I'm most proud of is co-creating the IXP Initiative. We saw this fundamental problem - new developers couldn't get hired without experience, but couldn't get experience without being hired. So we built something to fix it. Working with other community members and the Drupal Association, we turned this idea into a real program. Now we have companies actually participating, offering structured pathways for new developers, and getting 250 contribution credits for each successful engagement.
What drives me is seeing how regional economic differences create both challenges and huge opportunities for Drupal. At the recent board meeting, I brought up how a $1,000 partnership fee that works in the US becomes impossible in countries where monthly minimum wage is $200-300. These aren't just numbers - they represent talented developers who want to contribute but need different pathways.
I also understand we need a sustainable Drupal Association that balances community needs with business realities. For example, when I proposed bringing back DrupalCon Latin America, I suggested adapting the fair-style event model common in our region - where organizations pay for exhibition spots and actively invite end users, creating genuine business opportunities alongside community building.
I've been writing about ways to help make contribution more economically sustainable. I have some ideas about how Drupal.org could better connect businesses with service providers and how we might adapt programs to work better across different economic regions.
Why should members vote for you? (qualifications)
I've learned through my TAM experience that sustainable growth happens when you understand these realities and build systems that work across different contexts. The IXP Initiative proves we can create programs that strengthen the entire ecosystem while addressing real problems people face.
My qualifications include:
- Nearly a decade as Technical Account Manager at Acquia
- Co-creator and leader of the IXP Initiative (now a functional DA program)
- Community organizer (DrupalCon Latin America 2015, ongoing LATAM community work)
- Active contributor across multiple community initiatives
My focus as a board member would be supporting community development globally, expanding talent pipeline programs like IXP, and ensuring board decisions balance community sustainability with business needs. I want to help build the infrastructure that lets communities everywhere contribute and grow while keeping the association financially sustainable.
