Prevent the AI skills gap from becoming an expanse
The rapid pace of updates, new versions and new Drupal core and contrib module functionality of the past 5 years almost feels like a crawl compared to the “high-velocity production model” guiding The Drupal AI initiative. It has screamed past beta versions and into an enterprise ecosystem boasting more than 15,000 installs, funding totaling in the $millions (USD,) as well as dedicated product streams like Inside AI and Outside AI; all in just over a year of its official launch.
In addition, the community has about made it beyond the debate of if, and are now comfortably addressing the reality of how to best, (and importantly,) responsibly employ Drupal AI so that it contributes to not just efficiencies, but to improved workflows, outcomes and ultimately the bottom line; both Inside and Out. That, after all, is the measurement used in the viability of any new product or process. Astutely, the effort is grounded in the mission: “…to ensure that Drupal is the premier open-source AI platform for digital experiences, and remains focused on speed, brand safety, and measurable ROI.” So, how can we all work toward that goal? We as individuals have to master that which will "ensure that Drupal is the premier open-source AI platform for digital experiences." It is fundamental and it is critical to our future success.
Get smart
At the same time we applaud the speed bit of the mission, which will hopefully ensure Drupal’s relevance and growth worldwide, it comes with some trepidation among those who are trying to keep up. Drupal has always been a commitment to lifelong learning, but now, for many, the added AI Inside Drupal component is a whole new knowledge-quest that many quite frankly don't have time for. Of course, if it’s Drupal and it needs a training solution, you know we're onboard!
We are so thrilled to be serving as one of several learning resources for Drupal AI enlightenment as the official training partner! Our first session of AI Inside Drupal Essentials starts on November 9, 2026. The two week, 18-hour course serves as a reliable, efficient way to learn how to leverage AI in order to continue to be successful in Drupal, (and indeed to have Drupal be successful in our markets.) No matter which resource you leverage, getting up to speed is really important to our individual and collective success. This idea of ensuring our individual and community success by learning AI essentials, by the way, is not based on simple assumptions.
It's good for you, it's good for the Community
Worldwide jobs requiring specific AI skills are growing by 69%, which is almost eight times faster than the 9% the total jobs market is growing according to the PWC 2026 AI Jobs Barometer, a global study analyzing more than a billion job advertisements across 27 countries and territories that was released in June 2026. To add even more to this stunning insight, is that the average wage premium for AI skills is at ~ 62% (meaning 62% higher wages for those with AI skills– wow!) And (not surprisingly) the study explains, “The Technology, Media, and Telecoms (TMT) sector leads all sectors in AI hiring intensity, with nearly one in eight new job roles now AI related.”
In addition, the Jobs Barometer report also concluded that AI is further impacting the actual characterization of labor, into a ‘two-track’ market:
Track 1: “Professionalized” roles – where “AI automates routine tasks so human judgement and expertise are emphasized”
Track 2: ‘Democratized’ roles that AI makes easier for non-experts to perform.
And which roles are growing faster? Surprisingly; those that require expertise…the roles already held by senior professionals – you know the folks who normally share their knowledge instead of learning new skills. (There is a lot of academic and practical debate on how AI is thus eliminating entry level positions in all types of industries as well, but that is for another soap-box-post.)
This post is about the immediate issue for Drupal, which is keeping the talent in our community willing and able to breach whatever gaps there are in their AI knowledge and skills so we can all contribute to ensuring “...that Drupal is the premier open-source AI platform for digital experiences…”
It is a bit daunting of course, especially for those who are experts to realize that they have a lot to learn. Thankfully, we’ve got an insightful, learning-oriented culture in the Drupal Community, and of course, resources to get things rolling.
Tap into Drupal AI learning resources
Drupal AI Initiative
If you are curious about the initiative and the basics of what is available, the official Drupal AI portal provides an introduction to what Drupal AI is, sub modules and links to great basic information and resources.
Drupal AI Initiative tv
If you’d like to learn a bit about how Drupal AI is being utilized now, this Drupal AI Initiative-curated selection of videos includes what the maintainers see as the best presentations, workshops and demonstrations freely available. The page is updated regularly to provide a quick practical way to stay informed about the latest innovations in Drupal AI.
Drupal AI Learners Club
Meets regularly to talk about what's new in AI, do "show and tell" demos, and support each other in navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape as it relates to Drupal development and site building. Find it in #ai-learners in Drupal Slack, where you can also suggest / vote on / offer to talk about Future Topics.
DrupalEasy AI Inside Drupal Essentials
DrupalEasy has partnered with the Drupal AI Initiative through the Drupal Association to present a live, online in-depth course that provides a starting point (or remind/refresh) on Drupal AI. The comprehensive, 18-hour deep dive into integrating artificial intelligence with Drupal 10+ is led by Drupal expert trainer Michael Anello. Monthly scheduled course sessions focus on utilizing Drupal AI as it was intended, with admin-facing "responsible" AI techniques - prioritizing workflows that keep a human in the loop to review AI-generated suggestions before they are saved to the database. Participants move past chat interfaces to building agentic workflows, implementing RAG-based search, and utilizing local AI providers to enhance site-building and content authorship without writing a single line of PHP. Our beta version of the course was a great success, and the upcoming November 9, 2026 session registration is open.
Additional training programs are available, and more will surely be developed as time and Drupal AI moves forward. The important thing, is to keep up. Whether you train by reading updates, watching videos, or commit to a formal program; find a way to train, to update your skills and knowledge so you, and the community keep pace with applying Drupal AI in a way that serves the mission and positive growth for Drupal.
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