AI Amplifies Expertise: How Drupal is Embracing Disruption at DrupalCon Chicago 2026

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Quick Summary:

• The Big Theme: DrupalCon Chicago 2026 marked the shift from reacting to AI disruption to accepting it as an amplifier of existing expertise.
• Key Innovation: Leveraging Drupal’s technical depth for custom, scalable solutions that maintain strength where surface-level tools fail at complexity and scale.
• The Risk: New surface-level AI tools are quickly outgrown or hit constraints once organizations reach about $1MM in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).
• Our Verdict: Adopt the forward-thinking leadership mindset: focus on the question, “What big problem can I solve today?” and lean into strategic partnerships.

This year’s Drupalcon was the most impactful I have attended yet. It came at a crossroads for many of us in agency ownership and our careers. Dries Buytaert is the creator of Drupal CMS, and is the founder of the Drupal Association and Acquia. He posed a crucial question during his Driesnote: “Are you in? Or are you out?”

Over 25 years of open-source CMS development, Buytaert has faced pivotal moments, and he shared that vulnerability. Now, the entire Drupal ecosystem is facing a deep, foundation-shaking disruption: AI.

This past year has been challenging, both inside and outside the technical community. While some are resistant and uncertain about what AI means for Drupal the system, Drupal agencies, and Drupal the community, it represents the biggest shift of all. The deep uncertainty felt everywhere often makes solid footing feel like a reset.

Like Buytaert, I’ve had sleepless nights considering the future of agency ownership and how to navigate the future.

However, through his keynote and the active conversations I attended, the atmosphere shifted. While the question “what does this mean for me?” remains, there is a sense of leveling, acceptance, and normalizing of the AI hype.

AI is being embraced because it’s not going away, thanks to the community’s tireless innovations. Even at the Higher Ed summit, AI continually resurfaced as the central topic, despite efforts to discuss other things.

“AI amplifies expertise. It does not replace it. AI enables us to think bigger.” – Dries Buytaert

Buytaert mentioned how parts of Drupal Canvas and Marketplace, especially the clean front end, compare to systems like Lovable. While new tools are emerging, they often shine only at the surface level. Deeper expertise is required as complexity and scale increase.

This is where agencies like Spry Digital differentiate themselves. With 16 years of experience, we build custom, scalable solutions that make what’s possible truly achievable. (Notably more WordPress-related questions are appearing in the Drupal Slack channels).

The Drupal community is choosing to harness the AI wave rather than fight it. They are creating meaningful, scalable solutions that help clients deliver their message quickly and correctly. Unlike surface-level tools, which can be quickly outgrown, Drupal solutions do not hit constraints when organizations scale past $1MM in ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue). Those limited tools often require experienced developers just to adapt them.

AI is changing fast, and Drupal is ready. The overall feeling of the conference was more cohesive, determined, and forward-thinking in this new era of disruption.

That sense of clarity and focus came through in how Buytaert framed leadership in this moment. He quoted Linus Torvalds, Buytaert framed leadership in this moment around clarity and focus. He quoted Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux kernel and Git, sharing personal advice:

“Pick the interesting stuff that you actually want to do and make a conscious decision to let others take over the rest.”

This mindset leads to two powerful questions Buytaert uses to start his day:

• What big problem can I solve today?
• Who can I ask for help?

These questions resonated deeply with me. They highlight the importance of taking things one step at a time, avoiding the need to “boil the ocean,” and being willing to ask for help. We don’t have to do this alone.

This mirrors Spry Digital’s approach to leadership. We have been leaning into strategic partnerships, new collaborations, and long-time relationships. Our culture is rooted in teamwork and collaboration, doing what it takes while focusing on the work that most energizes us to support and grow the company.

At its core, the Drupal community reflects this same spirit: it is inclusive, diverse, open-minded, and embraces uniqueness. That’s exactly what makes it strong.

We believe in solving one big problem at a time. What big problem can we help you solve today? Let’s discuss how a forward-thinking partnership can turn the disruption of AI into your greatest amplifier.