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Joy to the Content World: Storyblok Brings AI Innovation and Human Connection to JoyConf 2025

matt-garrepy

The AI X-Factor: MACH Alliance’s 'MACH X' and AI Exchange Hackathon Help Enterprises Face the Future

<hr /> We’re in the “All Agents, All the Time” era. You know it. I know it. And it’s not just the persistent media and marketing hype cycle. Agents are sometimes <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.moveworks.com/us/en/resources/blog/what-is-an-ambient-agent">ambient by nature,</a> running continuously in the background to monitor event streams, anticipate needs, and act autonomously without waiting for direct user prompts.So they are, quite literally, doing their thing all the time. No coffee breaks, just constant workaholics – and that’s creating some incredible efficiencies for marketers and brands.We’re still in the early days of the “agentic revolution” (can I use that phrase?), but it’s already yielding some tangible results. I’ve been speaking to numerous agencies and enterprises over the last few weeks, and there’s a growing fervor surrounding agents and how they can be harnessed in meaningful ways.A lot of the discussion has revolved around the orchestration platforms needed to perform this job, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.optimizely.com/ai/">Optimizely's Opal</a> is often at the top of the list. Designed with marketers in mind, Opal allows you to create AI agents for almost any use case imaginable and build intricate workflows that can impact your experiments, accelerate your campaign lifecycles, and drive more business.In my recent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/optimizelys-new-agent-orchestration-gives-marketers-a-magic-wand-for-building-custom-workflows">post-Opticon conversation</a> with Optimizely’s SVP of Product, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsyli/">Kevin Li,</a> we talked at length about the importance of customizable workflows, and how Optimizely has been doubling down on delivering an elegant and robust experience that really juices productivity.“As we talk to customers, they’re really excited about the whole workflow aspect,” he said. “How we get to the 10x, 20x productivity gains lies in workflow, so we're excited about the ability to build your own workflows with the agents themselves to actually go get more work done.”Expanding the scope and reach of Opal has clearly been a key objective for Optimizely, and now they’re tapping Google as a force multiplier. The DXP just announced that it is now integrated with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cloud.google.com/gemini-enterprise?hl=en">Gemini Enterprise,</a> Google Cloud’s new platform that enables teams to discover, create, share, and run AI agents in a single destination. With pre-built and custom agents, drag-and-drop workflow design, and Gemini-powered reasoning, Opal can help teams scale marketing performance faster and with greater precision. The combined offering – available via the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/optimizely-public/optimizelyopal?hl=en&amp;pli=1&amp;project=main-aura-293403">Google Cloud Marketplace</a> – will unify data across systems while Opal analyzes it to recommend and even execute personalized marketing campaigns.<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:89.02%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1761169863165.png" alt="A screenshot of a computer

AI-generated content may be incorrect." /></figure>Optimizely Opal in the Google Cloud Marketplace. Source: Google Cloud Marketplace "We're entering an era where marketing teams need more than just individual AI tools – they need orchestrated intelligence that can adapt, learn, and execute across their entire workflow," said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-dannemann-93858936/">Jessica Dannemann,</a> Chief Partner Officer at Optimizely. “By bringing Opal to the Google Cloud Marketplace, we're making it easier than ever for businesses to access the AI-powered marketing capabilities they need to create exceptional customer experiences.”<h3 id="advanced-reasoning-powered-by-google-gemini-models">Advanced reasoning powered by Google Gemini models</h3>Gemini Enterprise is designed to bring Google's most advanced AI models to businesses to address a variety of workflows. It functions as a kind of central interface for users to interact with AI by querying company data, automating tasks using pre-built or custom AI agents, and creating content. Gemini Enterprise offers an array of features, including a no-code workbench for creating custom agents, secure connections to company data across different platforms, and a governance framework for managing agents and auditing their use. Powered by Google’s Gemini models, Opal’s integration will deliver powerful reasoning capabilities for sophisticated analysis of both text and visuals, powering marketers with essential insights to drive smarter, faster campaign decisions. <h3 id="giving-marketers-more-control-while-breaking-down-data-silos">Giving marketers more control while breaking down data silos</h3>By bringing their technologies together, Optimizely and Google Cloud are tackling two of the biggest challenges that marketers face: fragmented customer data and the difficulty of personalizing content at scale.Through Opal’s integration with Gemini Enterprise, marketers can break down barriers between search, assistance, and intelligent agents. Gemini Enterprise’s extensive network of third-party agents and data connections also allows Opal users to access a holistic view of customers, drawing information from various enterprise systems to enrich the marketing experience."Bringing Optimizely’s agent to Google Cloud provides customers with powerful new tools to advance their digital transformation goals,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daivu/">Dai Vu,</a> Managing Director, Marketplace &amp; ISV GTM Programs at Google Cloud. “We’re excited to expand our work with Optimizely and see how customers use the Opal agent technology to innovate and help marketers break down data silos.”<h3 id="harnessing-an-agent2agent-interoperability-architecture">Harnessing an Agent2Agent interoperability architecture</h3>Agents are starting to work together, and the real potential lies with these agent-to-agent interactions. With Optimizely and Google’s integrated offering, marketers can now harness the power of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/agent2agent-protocol">Agent2Agent (A2A) capabilities</a> – unleashing an integrated library of tools that allow teams to design and execute automated, effective, and personalized campaigns at scale.Announced in April, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://developers.googleblog.com/en/a2a-a-new-era-of-agent-interoperability/">Google’s A2A protocol</a> marshals a standardized set of design principles from a wide range of industry-leading technology partners. The architecture enables seamless, real-time collaboration between AI systems, eliminating manual data transfers and allowing for complex, automated workflows. A2A focuses on core agentic functions, tight security, and the ambient ability to handle long-running tasks (they keep going and going). It’s also host-agnostic, so it can support agents regardless of how or where they are built.But A2A is also about collaboration, enabling agents to join forces. For marketers, this could mean skipping the Red Bull and instead leaning on agents to perform urgent tasks like industry research overnight – so they have the insights they need to develop rock-solid campaigns as soon as they start their workday. Opal debuted in the Google Cloud Marketplace in July. With this new integration, Optimizely and Google Cloud are deepening their collaboration with an A2A-powered architecture that enables real-time collaboration between the two AI systems. Opal itself runs on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/models">Google’s Gemini models,</a> giving marketing teams powerful, advanced reasoning to analyze complex data and generate intelligent, personalized campaign recommendations.<h3 id="pricing">Pricing</h3>Optimizely Opal can be purchased through the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://console.cloud.google.com/marketplace/product/optimizely-public/optimizelyopal?hl=en&amp;pli=1&amp;project=main-aura-293403">Google Cloud Marketplace</a> via a Private Offer. That's cloud lexicon for contacting Optimizely’s sales to obtain a custom quote. Cloud marketplace listings can be somewhat nebulous at times (that's true of them all), particularly if the product isn't a direct SaaS or subscription model within your account. That said, the listing page does offer access to resources like tutorials and documentation to get things started. <h3 id="the-verdict">The verdict</h3>The hyperscalers have been a well for hydrating AI scalability, but Google in particular has been prolific with its Gemini foundation models (although recent outages aside, AWS Bedrock is making notable progress with its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://aws.amazon.com/ai/generative-ai/nova/">Amazon Nova models</a>). Optimizely already runs on Gemini, so that’s clearly accelerating the innovation arc and gaming the efficiencies.Regardless of the AI wizardry under the hood, the real key here is marketers – and Opal is already delivering the kind of frictionless, low-code, drag-and-drop workflow capabilities that are helping them unlock the value of AI. This new integration is evolving that value, connecting Opal’s marketing intelligence with Gemini Enterprise’s network of agents and data sources to provide a unified view of the customer journey. From a tactical perspective, the coordination between the two systems is giving marketing teams the ability to build and run personalized campaigns with greater automation, allowing them to focus on other tasks with creative or strategic imperatives. This, of course, is the real promise of AI: reducing the cognitive load for marketers, who are struggling to manage a multitude of tools in an ever-increasing stack of complexity. There continues to be a lot of AI washing out there, but Optimizely’s roadmap still looks promising in the Opal department, particularly within the scope of its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.optimizely.com/products/">Optimizely One</a> and CMP ecosystems. One of the smartest things they did to validate the use cases and outcomes with Opal was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.optimizely.com/insights/the-2025-optimizely-opal-ai-benchmark-report/">publishing a Benchmark Report</a> that details how marketers are actually using it – and where it’s paying off. The dimensions of this new integration are certainly worth a look if you’re in the “All Agents, All the Time” mode. I’m not sure it can deliver a four-day work week for marketers, but this integration could help lighten the load.  <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <figure class="image image-style-block-align-left image_resized" style="width:28.08%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1759840698475.png" /></figure><h4 id="raise:-lifting-content-into-the-future-with-agentic-cms"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS</a></h4>November 11, 2025 – London, UKJoin Kontent.ai at RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS, a premier free event for forward-thinking marketing and technology leaders shaping the way today’s most ambitious brands create and deliver content. Expect bold ideas, discover innovative strategies, engage with industry leaders, and gain insights that will lift your content strategy to new heights. At RAISE, you'll learn how to deliver faster, more engaging content experiences while AI does the busywork of audits, compliance, and localization with Agentic CMS, built to give you and your teams more time on creativity that matters. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">Reserve your seat today.</a> <img style="width:29.67%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1761136749603.png" /><h4 id="live-webinar:-can-we-ever-get-composable-without-complexity?"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/webinar-cmscritic">Live Webinar: Can We Ever Get Composable Without Complexity?</a></h4>November 20, 2025 – 6 PM (CET) / 5 PM (GMT) / 12 PM (EST)Composable architecture promised to simplify digital experience creation by giving organizations the flexibility to combine the technologies that met their needs. But for many enterprises, it’s done the opposite, which has led to complex integrations, spiraling costs, and what some are now referring to as composable regret. In this live conversation, Umbraco CEO Mats Persson joins Matt Garrepy, Chief Content Officer at CMS Critic, for a candid exploration of what went wrong in the first wave of composable and what needs to change. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/webinar-cmscritic">Register for the webinar.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Optimizely Opal Fuels Marketers with Powerful AI Agents via Google's Gemini Enterprise

<hr /> AI has already changed the way you work. You plan with it, write with it, maybe even build prototypes with it. Everything feels faster now, except your CMS.Somehow, the very system designed to keep digital experiences moving still takes hours, sometimes days, to bring ideas to life. Delays caused by complex workflows, overlapping handoffs, and unclear ownership continue to slow teams down.That’s the irony of the AI era. Companies pour resources into “AI-powered” tools, yet most don’t see the promised outcomes. AI has transformed how we generate content, but not yet how we deliver it. And nowhere is that gap more visible than in content management.AI in CMS should come with governance and outcomes, and that’s the vision behind <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://bit.ly/velocitylaunch">Velocity</a>, Hygraph’s approach to bringing real, sustainable speed to content operations.<figure class="image image-style-align-center"><a href="https://hygraph.com/velocity-at-scale?utm_source=cmscritic&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=velocity&amp;utm_content=blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/velocity-at-scale-promo.png" /></a></figure><h3 id="the-hype-that-got-us-here">The hype that got us here</h3>AI may feel like a sudden revolution, but it’s been a long time in the making. Years of progress in data, computing, and accessibility have brought it to everyone’s fingertips.When Google introduced the transformer architecture in 2017, it changed the way machines understood language and relationships, paving the way for models like GPT. Massive open datasets, from Wikipedia to GitHub, gave those models real-world fluency. Cloud platforms and GPUs made training them feasible for more teams. Then, public APIs removed the final barrier, letting anyone integrate intelligence into their products.Once generative tools like ChatGPT and Copilot arrived, AI became part of everyday work. It started helping with content creation, design, code generation, and analytics. Headless CMSs became the proving ground for practical AI. With APIs at their core and content flowing through every channel, they sit at the perfect intersection of data, design, and delivery, exactly where AI can create real impact.<h3 id="the-promise-vs.-reality">The promise vs. reality</h3>AI promised to reinvent content management around three pillars: time to market, intelligence, and personalization.In theory, it sounded perfect. Teams could ideate, generate, and publish faster than ever. Content would be smarter, more adaptive, and more relevant. But in practice, most organizations haven’t reached that point. Around 71% still say they lack the structure and best practices needed to get tangible results from AI.The problem is coordination. AI accelerates creation, but it doesn’t automatically fix how teams collaborate, approve, and launch. In most organizations, content and development still run on separate timelines and tools, which means every update turns into a negotiation instead of a workflow. Without a system that manages all that complexity, the benefits stall.<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:85.54%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1761149163545.png" /></figure>Source: Hygraph Virtual Keynote. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://bit.ly/velocitylaunch">Register to see the full demo</a>.<h3 id="what-makes-an-ai-powered-cms-work">What makes an AI-powered CMS work</h3>AI can write, tag, translate, and analyze at impressive speed. But speed alone isn’t the metric that matters. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hygraph.com/blog/ai-content-management">A modern CMS needs to make that speed reliable</a>.That means <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hygraph.com/blog/ai-content-governance">putting governance first</a>: defining who can use AI, what it can change, and how every action is reviewed. It means designing collaboration so editors and developers work in parallel, not in sequence. And also focusing on outcomes instead of features: how much friction was removed, how quickly a campaign went live, and how clearly results can be measured.Hygraph’s CPTO, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariolenz/">Dr. Mario Lenz, </a>describes the gap:“Without governance, AI stays a demo. With it, it becomes a business accelerator.”A truly AI-powered CMS functions like an operating system for business velocity. Every part of the content lifecycle: modeling, creation, collaboration, and delivery, runs faster because it’s connected, governed, and measured.<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:85.78%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1761149163447.png" /></figure>Source: Hygraph Virtual Keynote. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://bit.ly/velocitylaunch">Register to see the full demo</a>.<h3 id="building-velocity-that-lasts">Building velocity that lasts</h3>A recent Forrester study found that faster time to market has overtaken customer acquisition as the top driver of CMS investment. Speed now is strategy.But velocity isn’t about automation for its own sake. It’s about giving teams the freedom to move faster without losing control. When design, development, and editorial teams can move together, ideas reach the market while they still matter.AI is already helping that happen. You can see it in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://hygraph.com/blog/why-visual-builders-dont-fit-the-ai-era">the rise of prompt-based design</a>, where intent replaces manual configuration, and in structured content that adapts instantly across channels. These shifts are reducing complexity and closing the gap between creativity and delivery.This is the foundation Hygraph is built on. The platform brings developer flexibility and editorial autonomy together so both sides can move at full speed. Developers work with GraphQL, schema as code, and open APIs. Editors work with AI Assist, Variants, and Visual Preview—tools that make publishing faster and safer. Every AI action follows permissions, approvals, and version control, ensuring that speed never comes at the expense of governance.That balance between creativity and control is what makes velocity sustainable. It’s how organizations move from experimenting with AI to actually scaling with it. <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://youtube.com/watch?v=NHuUSei5O0k&amp;feature=youtu.be"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NHuUSei5O0k" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure><h3 id="see-velocity-in-action:-hygraph’s-virtual-keynote-on-october-29">See velocity in action: Hygraph’s virtual keynote on October 29</h3>Hygraph’s upcoming virtual keynote explores this next stage of AI and velocity, where you’ll see, during a live demo, how a multi-brand retailer builds and launches experiences in real time, guided by AI.The session brings together our leadership team to share the vision behind it, followed by a panel with Vertu Motors, Ancestry, and partners from Intelliact and Datrycs on scaling velocity across enterprises.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://bit.ly/velocitylaunch">Register to watch the keynote</a> and explore how the next generation of CMS turns AI speed into real business momentum. <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <figure class="image image-style-block-align-left image_resized" style="width:28.08%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1759840698475.png" /></figure><h4 id="raise:-lifting-content-into-the-future-with-agentic-cms"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS</a></h4>November 11, 2025 – London, UKJoin Kontent.ai at RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS, a premier free event for forward-thinking marketing and technology leaders shaping the way today’s most ambitious brands create and deliver content. Expect bold ideas, discover innovative strategies, engage with industry leaders, and gain insights that will lift your content strategy to new heights. At RAISE, you'll learn how to deliver faster, more engaging content experiences while AI does the busywork of audits, compliance, and localization with Agentic CMS, built to give you and your teams more time on creativity that matters. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">Reserve your seat today.</a> <img style="width:29.67%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1761136749603.png" /><h4 id="live-webinar:-can-we-ever-get-composable-without-complexity?"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/webinar-cmscritic">Live Webinar: Can We Ever Get Composable Without Complexity?</a></h4>November 20, 2025 – 6 PM (CET) / 5 PM (GMT) / 12 PM (EST)Composable architecture promised to simplify digital experience creation by giving organizations the flexibility to combine the technologies that met their needs. But for many enterprises, it’s done the opposite, which has led to complex integrations, spiraling costs, and what some are now referring to as composable regret. In this live conversation, Umbraco CEO Mats Persson joins Matt Garrepy, Chief Content Officer at CMS Critic, for a candid exploration of what went wrong in the first wave of composable and what needs to change. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/webinar-cmscritic">Register for the webinar.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

AI Made Everything Faster. It’s Time Your CMS Caught Up

cms-critic-staff

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/ran-ronen">Ran Ronen</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/amit-aggarwal"> </a>is co-founder and CEO at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.equally.ai/">Equally AI</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/storyblok"> </a>and a CMS Critic contributor. <hr /> WordPress powers over <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wordpress.org/about/features/">43% of the web,</a> making it the most influential platform in shaping how people experience digital content. That scale carries great responsibility because when accessibility is overlooked, millions of users are shut out from the information, services, and communities they rely on. And with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/disability/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030/european-accessibility-act_en">European Accessibility Act (EAA)</a> fully enforced, rising ADA lawsuits, and customer demand for accessible websites by default, the stakes are about to get much higher.Yet too many site owners still rely on “quick fixes” like free plugins, widget overlays, and AI tools that promise instant compliance. These don’t just fail; they often worsen accessibility and put a legal target on your site. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/wordpress">WordPress</a> accessibility isn’t a bolt-on feature. It starts with the basics: accessible themes, vetted plugins, and continuous testing. This checklist shows where most WordPress sites fail, and practical steps to make them accessible, compliant, and future-proof.<h3 id="1.-start-with-an-accessible-theme">1. Start with an accessible theme</h3>Your WordPress theme defines not just how your site looks, but how people can use it. A poorly built theme can block screen reader users, break keyboard navigation, and make entire sections of your site inaccessible. Even worse, if you don’t own or control the theme, a single update can undo any accessibility fixes you’ve made.The WordPress repository includes an “Accessibility Ready” tag for themes like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wordpress.org/themes/twentytwentyfour/">Twenty Twenty-Four</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wordpress.com/theme/mayland">Mayland</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wordpress.org/themes/arbutus/">Arbutus</a>, signaling support for basics such as skip links, keyboard navigation, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Accessibility/ARIA/Reference/Roles/landmark_role">ARIA landmarks. </a>But this tag isn’t a guarantee of full accessibility. Many themes still fail with issues like missing focus indicators, skipped or misused headings, non-semantic markup, and custom menus that break keyboard navigation.To avoid these issues:<ul><li>Choose a modern, accessibility-ready theme, but never assume the label equals compliance. Always test it with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/use-a-screen-reader-to-explore-and-navigate-different-keyboard-and-text-tools-in-windows-50ac2817-f297-4fdc-9880-e1a843b0e1c1">keyboard and a screen reader </a>before launch.</li><li>Keep all accessibility tweaks in a child theme, and document them so they aren’t lost in future updates.</li><li>If your theme isn’t accessible and you can’t replace or control it, I’d highly recommend using an AI-powered accessibility widget to automatically resolve recurring issues after updates.</li></ul><h3 id="2.-choose-accessible-plugins-and-page-builders-wisely">2. Choose accessible plugins and page builders wisely</h3>Plugins and page builders power WordPress’s flexibility, but they’re also a major source of accessibility failures, especially in critical user flows like navigation, forms, and checkouts. Common issues include missing labels or error messages in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wordpress.org/plugins/contact-form-7/">Contact Form 7,</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/woocommerce">WooCommerce</a> galleries that block keyboard use, cookie banners that trap focus, SEO org gallery plugins that override alt text, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAPTCHA">CAPTCHAs</a> without accessible alternatives.Page builders such as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/elementor">Elementor,</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.elegantthemes.com/gallery/divi/">Divi,</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wpbakery.com/">WPBakery</a> add another layer of risk, generating deeply nested, non-semantic code, styling headings visually instead of coding them correctly, exposing decorative icons to screen readers, and shipping sliders or carousels that ignore focus and keyboard controls.Best practices for managing plugins and builders on WordPress include:<ul><li>Auditing plugins and page builders before use, especially those tied to navigation, media, or forms.</li><li>Testing with a keyboard and a screen reader to confirm all interactions work.</li><li>Choosing lightweight, well-maintained plugins over bloated feature packs.</li><li>Re-testing critical flows like signups, checkouts, and bookings after every update.</li></ul><h3 id="3.-structure-content-semantically-">3. Structure content semantically </h3>WordPress’s block editor, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/">Gutenberg,</a> was designed to make content more semantic, but users leverage it more like a design tool – stacking Paragraph blocks instead of using headings, pasting lists as plain text, or using Custom Post Types that output raw divs. The result may look fine visually, but it’s often unreadable to screen readers. This mostly happens in blog posts and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/woocommerce">WooCommerce</a> product descriptions, where non-technical authors ignore the hierarchy tools.To keep content accessible in the WordPress Gutenberg block editor, follow these tips. Some of this might seem basic, but it's always a good refresher:<ul><li>Use one h1 for the page title, then structure sections with h2 and h3 (Gutenberg’s Outline panel makes this easy to check).</li><li>Convert bullet points into List blocks and numbered steps into Ordered List blocks for proper ul and ol markup.</li><li>Don’t use Paragraph blocks in place of headings or lists.</li><li>For <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.advancedcustomfields.com/">Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)</a> and other Custom Post Types, configure fields to output semantic HTML, and audit with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wordpress.com/plugins/wp-accessibility">WP Accessibility plugin.</a></li></ul><h3 id="4.-fix-wordpress-navigation-flaws">4. Fix WordPress navigation flaws</h3>Navigation is a frequent failure point. Out-of-the-box blog archives often generate dozens of identical “Read More” links that screen readers announce in sequence without context, forcing users to guess their destination. Custom menu walkers can also break keyboard navigation, and some themes strip landmarks like main or nav, and inconsistent footers or sidebars often disorient screen reader users. Some helpful tips for addressing navigation in WordPress:<ul><li>Replace “Read More” with descriptive links (e.g., Read more about [Post Title]). The link text should be concise but informative.</li><li>Add skip links in headers so users can jump directly to content.</li><li>Ensure main, nav, and footer landmarks appear in all templates.</li><li>Keep menus, sidebars, and footers consistent across the site.</li><li>Check custom menu walkers for keyboard support and visible focus states.</li></ul><h3 id="5.-test-and-monitor-continuously">5. Test and monitor continuously</h3>Accessibility isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s a continuous process because WordPress sites evolve constantly, and every change carries the risk of introducing new issues. To maintain accessibility over time:<ul><li>Start by running an automated scan using <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/wave-evaluation-tool/jbbplnpkjmmeebjpijfedlgcdilocofh">WAVE </a>(it’s one of the most popular accessibility testing tools). Install the Chrome extension, scan your site’s key pages, fix every flagged error, and aim for a zero-error score as a baseline.</li><li>Go further with manual testing: try navigating your entire site using only a keyboard (no mouse) to confirm all interactive elements work, navigation is logical, and there is a visible focus ring on each element. </li><li>Integrate accessibility into publishing and QA workflows. Re-test after updates, redesigns, and content changes to avoid regression</li></ul><h3 id="looking-ahead">Looking Ahead</h3>The WordPress community continues to advance accessibility, with improvements in Gutenberg and ongoing collaboration through initiatives like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://wpaccessibility.day/">WP Accessibility Day.</a> At the same time, global standards are evolving, with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.w3.org/TR/wcag-3.0/">WCAG 3.0</a> on the horizon and regulators already enforcing stricter expectations through the EAA and ADA.The reality is that accessibility will increasingly be written into client contracts, RFPs, and agency deliverables as a baseline requirement. For WordPress site owners, this means accessibility isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits, it’s about ensuring your site is usable by everyone – and keeping pace with how the web itself is changing. <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <figure class="image image-style-block-align-left image_resized" style="width:28.08%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1759840698475.png" /></figure><h4 id="raise:-lifting-content-into-the-future-with-agentic-cms"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS</a></h4>November 11, 2025 – London, UKJoin Kontent.ai at RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS, a premier free event for forward-thinking marketing and technology leaders shaping the way today’s most ambitious brands create and deliver content. Expect bold ideas, discover innovative strategies, engage with industry leaders, and gain insights that will lift your content strategy to new heights. At RAISE, you'll learn how to deliver faster, more engaging content experiences while AI does the busywork of audits, compliance, and localization with Agentic CMS, built to give you and your teams more time on creativity that matters. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">Reserve your seat today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

The Complete WordPress Accessibility Checklist for 2026

ran-ronen

<hr /> When I spoke to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/filipbech/">Filip Bech-Larsen</a> before Umbraco’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sowing-the-seeds-of-love-umbracos-codegarden-2025-celebrates-20-years-of-community-and-innovation">2025 Codegarden event,</a> he was ecstatic about a lot of things. And rightly so. The open source content management system – which has long been dubbed<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/about-us/values/why-the-friendly-cms/"> "The Friendly CMS”</a> – was on a roll. Along with a years-long stretch of remarkable growth and an expanding ecosystem of offerings, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/umbraco">Umbraco</a> was plotting an ambitious course in the evolving landscape of AI.Of course, as an open source vendor in a landscape of proprietary solutions, Filip reminded me why Umbraco’s approach to AI was markedly different from other commercial solutions.  “Our strategy is a little bit different to most of our competitors, and it basically comes down to Umbraco being a platform that you build on top of, instead of being the tool that does everything for you,” he explained. “Like the Lego bricks metaphor, we give you the base plate, and all the blocks, and then you build whatever you want on top of that. And since we're open source, we can't really take a commercial dependency and just integrate directly with ChatGPT because that's not how open source licensing works. So we have a few different tracks around this.”And the primary vehicle for accessing these tracks is the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://marketplace.umbraco.com/">Umbraco Marketplace,</a> which features a wide range of artificial intelligence plugins, from translators to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/tinymce-brings-advanced-ai-to-cms-text-editing-interview-with-fredrik-danielsson-elise-bentley">TinyMCE’s</a> premium package that includes a super handy accessibility checker. He went deeper into the details, which you can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/sowing-the-seeds-of-love-umbracos-codegarden-2025-celebrates-20-years-of-community-and-innovation">read about here.</a> Along with these advancements, Filip also shared the first glimpse of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/blog/unveiling-umbraco-mcp-server/">Umbraco’s new MCP server,</a> crystallizing the company’s bold steps into the realm of agentic AI. In fact, since Codegarden, MCP has exploded in adoption, with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/getting-started/intro">thousands of options</a> now available across a multitude of servers. Now, with MCP reaching a fever pitch and becoming a central part of the agentic horizon, Umbraco is doing what it has done over the past twenty years: looking to its open source community. There have already been sparks of AI innovation from across Umbraco’s 250,000 contributors and its international network of digital agency partners. Now, the company’s core team has brought dedicated talent to its inner circle to accelerate the MCP frontier. Effective today, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-whittaker-82481716/">Phil Whittaker</a> has been appointed Senior Software Engineer at Umbraco, where he will be focused on the continued development of its MCP server and the maturing of its overall AI strategy.  <figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:77.21%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1760413085606.png" alt="" /></figure>Phil Whittaker. Source: LinkedIn With over 25 years of experience, Phil brings a deep resume to the role, having held positions as a software developer, digital agency founder, CTO, and lead engineer. He’s also worked extensively with Umbraco, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ucommerce.net/">uCommerce</a>, and other platforms to build complex, highly integrated websites and digital experiences. Phil is also a prominent fixture within Umbraco’s open source software ecosystem, sharing his knowledge with fellow developers and organizing Umbraco user meetups. His commitment to the community has earned him an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://community.umbraco.com/mvp-program/current-mvps/">Umbraco MVP</a> five times. “Being part of the Umbraco open-source community over the past fourteen years has made a huge difference to me professionally and personally,” he said. “I’m delighted to join a team of people whose work I have admired for many years.”“Phil Whittaker is a major contributor within our open-source community and is at the very heart of Umbraco MCP Server development,” said Filip Bech-Larsen. “We’re excited to be able to work alongside him at Umbraco HQ to support organizations as they learn how to harness the power of agentic AI, while retaining full control and transparency over its operation.”<h3 id="focused-on-mcp">Focused on MCP</h3>A quick reminder if you’re new to MCP: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/getting-started/intro">Model Context Protocol</a> is an open standard that enables large language models to connect and communicate with external tools, data sources, and other services. Think of it as a USB-C port for AI, providing a vehicle for LLMs to access and share information. This, in turn, enables the development of rich AI agents that can be enlisted to perform complex, real-world actions – and that runs the gamut from ecommerce transactions to wildly imaginative tasks.Despite all the fervor, the phenomenon of MCP is still pretty fresh. In fact, the standard was <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.anthropic.com/news/model-context-protocol">launched by Anthropic</a> in November of 2024 and made available as an open source framework. But it caught on quickly, and by spring of this year, the buzz around agentic commerce was palpable – and MCP was seen as a gateway for expanding the agent-to-agent vision.As Phil explained, he was already developing AI apps and harnessing AI for content generation and coding before ChatGPT was launched. This gave him more of a solid foundation as MCP came on the scene. “I started experimenting with Model Context Protocol at the start of this year and was hugely impressed by its potential when combined with a CMS,” he said. “This led me to the development of an MCP Server for Umbraco. It’s incredibly powerful, while providing strong control. We’ve built the right tool in the right way at exactly the right time. As a developer, you don’t come across anything this momentous more than once or twice in your career.”In September, Phil wrote about the beta release of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/blog/announcing-the-beta-release-of-the-developer-mcp-server-for-umbraco-cms/">Developer MCP Server for Umbraco CMS,</a> which provides a pathway to AI-powered content management capabilities directly in the Umbraco CMS workflow. This was a milestone moment in the continued development of Umbraco’s MCP strategy, signaling his future role in shaping the continued trajectory. <h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>MCP is a clear game-changer as we move full throttle into the era of agentic AI. For CMS and DXP vendors, having an MCP server has become a strategic imperative, and Umbraco is taking a sage course by elevating an experienced AI pioneer from its own community to shape the next steps of its MCP evolution.Umbraco continues to enjoy a unique position within the CMS category as the most widely-used open source content management system built on .NET. The platform is trusted by well-established global enterprises like Rubbermaid, but is also a go-to for public sector organizations – reflecting its secure, scalable, and future-proof posture. Umbraco’s commitment to accessibility and sustainability is also a testament to its culture, and further reinforces the loyalty of its highly-engaged community of users and developers – clearly one of its strongest attributes. It has also made some smart moves with the rollout of its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://umbraco.com/">Umbraco Cloud</a> strategy, which features enterprise-grade scalability and regional hosting. While Umbraco is cementing its position as a CMS with MCP capabilities, it’s important to understand your own agentic goals as you evaluate solutions. What I like about the elevation of Phil to the UmbracoHQ team is his proven track record of documenting the value of these tools through a legacy of proven Umbraco experience – and that should translate into greater confidence. <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <figure class="image image-style-block-align-left image_resized" style="width:28.08%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1759840698475.png" /></figure><h4 id="raise:-lifting-content-into-the-future-with-agentic-cms"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS</a></h4>November 11, 2025 – London, UKJoin Kontent.ai at RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS, a premier free event for forward-thinking marketing and technology leaders shaping the way today’s most ambitious brands create and deliver content. Expect bold ideas, discover innovative strategies, engage with industry leaders, and gain insights that will lift your content strategy to new heights. At RAISE, you'll learn how to deliver faster, more engaging content experiences while AI does the busywork of audits, compliance, and localization with Agentic CMS, built to give you and your teams more time on creativity that matters. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">Reserve your seat today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Umbraco Accelerates AI Transformation by Appointing Senior Software Engineer to Focus on MCP

The Zero-Cost Content Paradox

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Shopify - The global commerce platform

Build your business with Shopify to sell online, offline, and everywhere in between.

The global commerce platform

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<hr /> There’s just no way to soften the blow: we’re drowning in digital stuff. It’s a colossal problem of our own creation – and AI is making it worse by the day.But hang on. It’s not all bad, right? With the advent of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/generative-ai/">generative AI,</a> brands can arm their marketing channels faster than ever with more assets and variants. It’s enabling greater scale and hyper-personalized experiences across more touchpoints.The problem? Maintaining governance is still a bit like “The Wild West.” With so much stuff in so many places, it's brewing a stampede of digital asset chaos – and that’s creating a huge problem for enterprises as they try to wrangle control and consistency while meeting breathtaking expectations. And this is, without question, an important consideration for large brands and enterprises as they wrestle with the realities of exploding content. According to research in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canto.com/blog/state-of-digital-content/">The State of Digital Content in 2025</a>, only 19% of teams increased their content ROI in the past year. Meanwhile, content professionals currently waste over three hours a week searching for digital assets while managing four or more disconnected tools.Like many of its DAM peers, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/canto">Canto</a> has been helping teams throw a lasso around the spreading herd. The pure-play <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/what-is-a-digital-asset-management-dam-system">digital asset management</a> provider – which was founded in 1990, making it a true pioneer in the field – has shaped the landscape of DAMs and PIMs, which have provided control and confidence around digital assets and product information at enterprise scale.  But no one expected just how dramatically AI would impact the game. Now, brands are adding assets exponentially in multiple media dimensions. That control and confidence is being tested like never before, and we need new ways – new thinking – to meet the demands of managing it all. Canto is doing just that. With its latest release, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canto.com/product/">Canto XI</a>, the company is launching the boldest reinvention of its platform yet, transforming its DAM into a true intelligent content hub that’s purpose-built for the AI era.Canto XI consolidates content-lifecycle workflows while adding unique and powerful new products, all designed to address the evolving challenges brands face with managing assets across disconnected tools. It provides an intuitive, single source of truth for all creative and product content, enabling brands to launch campaigns faster with tighter coordination between creative assets and product data.“The content landscape has fundamentally changed,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellum/">Wain Kellum,</a> Canto's CEO. “Brands are creating exponentially more digital assets while facing pressure to move faster and maintain consistency across every touchpoint. Our customers told us they need more than traditional DAM; they need agile systems that keep pace with today’s and tomorrow’s content demands. Canto XI now delivers exactly that. We’re excited to release a transformational platform where AI doesn’t just organize content, it accelerates every decision teams make.”The robust, AI-powered features of Canto XI reflect the company’s fierce pace of innovation, buoyed by smart acquisitions. Last year, Canto <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/canto-pim-unites-dam-and-product-information-management-streamlining-asset-and-data-workflows">united its DAM and PIM capabilities</a> to streamline asset and data workflows, following the strategic purchase of industry rival <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.imagerelay.com/">Image Relay</a> in mid-September of 2024.Those moves were amplified along the AI vector with Canto’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canto.com/press-releases/canto-merlinone/">acquisition of another competitor, MerlinOne,</a> making way for some fairly impressive AI capabilities that provided an early foundation for its path into enhanced automation. <h3 id="automating-key-workflows-and-eliminating-‘tool-sprawl’">Automating key workflows and eliminating ‘tool sprawl’</h3>Canto XI helps make assets instantly discoverable and ensures brand consistency across all touchpoints. Alongside a modernized UI and embedded AI capabilities, the new release introduces four purpose-built products. Together, these work to unify brand and product content into one platform where AI powers every stage of the content lifecycle. First, the new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canto.com/product/brand-studio/">Brand Studio</a> empowers field teams and partners with on-brand templates while keeping design in control. Users also have access to an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canto.com/product/approval-hub/">Approval Hub</a>, which centralizes review and approval processes with annotations, version history, and audit trails so that teams ship faster and more confidently.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:80.86%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1760035965821.png" alt="A screenshot of a computer

AI-generated content may be incorrect." /></figure>Canto XI’s AI Library Assistant. Source: Canto Canto XI’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canto.com/product/ai-library-assistant/">AI Library Assistant</a> keeps content libraries instantly searchable with AI-powered organization, tagging, and enrichment. Easy to use and navigate, it makes the entire search process easier and more streamlined for users. <figure class="image image_resized" style="width:67.17%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1760035964699.png" alt="A screenshot of a computer

AI-generated content may be incorrect." /></figure>Canto XI’s AI Media Publisher. Source: Canto Finally, Canto XI’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.canto.com/product/media-publisher/">Media Publisher</a> delivers optimized assets – including video – directly to websites, apps, and channels, eliminating the need for separate publishing tools. A huge timesaver that lightens the load.<h3 id="canto-ai:-powering-every-stage-of-the-content-lifecycle">Canto AI: Powering every stage of the content lifecycle</h3>Many CMS and DXP platforms have introduced intelligent AI assistants and co-pilots across their composable products and ecosystems, which have been well-received by users.Canto is doing the same with its Canto AI Engine, which is woven throughout its platform to power workflows from creation to analysis. Canto’s AI Visual Search, for example, now includes visual similarity detection, while AI Library Assistant introduces smart organization and categorization capabilities. AI also enhances Brand Studio’s template-based creation tools. As a whole, these AI-powered features automate tagging, suggest metadata, and provide content recommendations to keep libraries structured and instantly searchable. Combined with advanced integration capabilities that connect with existing martech stacks, its AI engine learns from usage patterns to help improve recommendations over time, giving users and teams the ability to move faster with greater control and confidence.“Marketing teams are drowning in disparate tools from too many vendors that create more work instead of reducing it,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/abeiagi/">Alan Beiagi,</a> Chief Product and Technology Officer at Canto. “Canto XI gives them one platform where AI handles the heavy lifting and connects content to business outcomes. While many platforms layer AI on top of existing systems, we’ve built intelligence directly into the foundation of the Canto platform, so every action benefits from AI without teams having to think about it.”<h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>Canto’s latest release is an evolutionary one, promising to help brands escape the yoke of content chaos with intelligent solutions. The pace of asset creation isn’t slowing down, and Canto XI is endeavoring to transform how organizations address the content management dilemma. By approaching all brand and product content as interconnected assets – rather than isolated files – Canto is rethinking the foundation of digital asset management. When evaluating DAM options for your use case, Canto continues to demonstrate that its wisdom is matched by its innovation, and its strong roadmap for its AI makes it worthy of consideration. Ending the digital asset chaos starts with a “can do” attitude. But it also requires some bold rethinking of our technology and practices. If you're ready for it, Canto could be your “can do” partner. <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <figure class="image image-style-block-align-left image_resized" style="width:28.08%"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1759840698475.png" /></figure><h4 id="raise:-lifting-content-into-the-future-with-agentic-cms"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS</a></h4>November 11, 2025 – London, UKJoin Kontent.ai at RAISE: Lifting Content into the Future with Agentic CMS, a premier free event for forward-thinking marketing and technology leaders shaping the way today’s most ambitious brands create and deliver content. Expect bold ideas, discover innovative strategies, engage with industry leaders, and gain insights that will lift your content strategy to new heights. At RAISE, you'll learn how to deliver faster, more engaging content experiences while AI does the busywork of audits, compliance, and localization with Agentic CMS, built to give you and your teams more time on creativity that matters. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://kontent.ai/events-and-webinars/raise/">Reserve your seat today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Can we end the digital asset chaos? Canto says ‘can do’ with its latest AI-powered release

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/gillian-mays">Gillian Mays</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/critics/amit-aggarwal"> </a>is a Content Creator at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/storyblok">Storyblok</a> and a CMS Critic contributor. <hr /> Some things never change. The sky is blue, people crave connection, and content is an essential part of any modern business strategy. But other things aren’t so static. Customer expectations, technological tools, and the way essential content is managed have evolved dramatically over the past few years. The content game is about to change forever. And there’s only one skill that will matter if you want to win: adaptability.Let’s take a look at what adaptability means for modern brands and how you can leverage it for a future-proof content strategy.P.S. This article is a sneak preview of our newest whitepaper. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.storyblok.com/lp/composable-enterprise?utm_source=cmscritic&amp;utm_medium=sponsor&amp;utm_campaign=MKT_GEN_AWA_701W600001qBJFPIA4&amp;utm_term=cmscritic">Download “The Engine of Enterprise: How Headless CMS Fuels Composable Joy” for free today</a> to get the full story.<h3 id="welcome-to-the-future.-the-only-constant-is-change">Welcome to the future. The only constant is change</h3>Modern demands haven’t just shifted. They’ve evolved at a dizzying pace: today’s users expect the latest and greatest digital experiences, and they demand it as soon as they realize it’s possible. Your content needs to be ultra personalized, lightning fast, and consistent across channels – and it needs to deliver all of that better than your competitors.But it’s not just your users who are changing the game. With AI chatbots taking the world by storm, the ability to stay visible in the era of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.storyblok.com/mp/generative-engine-optimization-explained">Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)</a> is quickly becoming a sink-or-swim matter. It’s a brave new world, one full to the brim with possibility and opportunity. But the harsh truth is it’s also a highly competitive one.And legacy CMSs are out of their league.In a world where tech and user demands can change on a dime, meeting them with the shortest time-to-market possible is the difference between being an industry leader and fading into obscurity.  Legacy CMSs were not made for speed or flexibility. Try to force it, and you end up with roadblock after roadblock:<ul><li>Integrating new technology is nearly impossible, crippling any attempt at innovation with messy workarounds and a half-functional result</li><li>Monolithic architecture forces the same stale, single-channel content strategy as everyone else</li><li>The infrastructure lacks flexible APIs, adequate content structuring, or scaling potential – all death knells for getting discovered by AI.</li></ul>In other words, they’re incapable of adapting. In a world where everything about your content strategy can change in the blink of an eye, being adaptable is your only hope to survive. And that will require a complete shift in how you manage and distribute content.<h3 id="composability-and-headless:-a-new-era-of-content">Composability and headless: A new era of content</h3>With adaptability as the gold standard, the next era of enterprise CMS will be defined by flexibility, modularity, and speed. Your brand’s success will depend on being prepared to constantly reshape how you engage with customers on a global scale. But don’t worry – you don’t have to do it alone. With the combined power of composable infrastructure and a headless CMS, you can break down the old boundaries and deliver cutting-edge digital experiences faster than ever before.  <h4 id="the-composable-advantage">The composable advantage</h4>Composability is an agile, future-forward strategy for assembling a tech stack. Instead of an all-in-one system found in legacy CMSs, it relies on a flexible ecosystem where each part of the tech stack is a modular component.Translation: Composability offers full technical freedom.Because they’re independent components, you can add or remove them at will and without fear of disrupting any other elements. Whenever newer tech or programs come out, integrating is as easy as connecting via API.And if you’re looking to scale? Composability has the competitive edge there, too. The modularity means you can scale with precision, expanding your operations without overhauling the entire system or overpaying for parts that are fine as-is. That adaptability means you’re ready for whatever comes next, including the rise of generative AI search. Because you can integrate modular tools to support aspects like localization, metadata, and structured content, you can keep up with the ever-evolving algorithms for consistently visible content.  <h4 id="where-headless-comes-in">Where headless comes in</h4>Composability primes your tech stack for adaptability. Getting the best use out of it will require another step: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.storyblok.com/">a headless CMS.</a> Much like how composability supports full technical freedom, a headless CMS supports full content freedom. That’s because headless CMSs operate completely differently from their legacy counterparts. Legacy CMSs are one single monolith, bundling the backend (where you create content) with the front (where it’s displayed). You’re usually stuck with that one channel of publication and whatever prebuilt capabilities the provider includes – no customization, at least not without a lot of very difficult and risky tech adjustments. But with a headless CMS, your frontend and backend are completely separated. Because your content is stored separately and sent out via APIs, you can connect to any channel. Websites, apps, smartwatches, digital displays – if it can connect via API, you can push content to it with a headless CMS. And yes, that includes technology that doesn’t even exist yet. Those APIs also mean that your choice of tech is completely up to you. Skip programs you don’t need, integrate new ones you do, and do it all without interrupting the rest of the tech stack or your content presentation. And no matter how technology or user demands evolve, you’ll never have to upgrade your entire system. Just swap outdated programs for ones that give your enterprise the competitive edge and keep going. <h3 id="the-final-verdict:-composability-or-bust">The final verdict: composability or bust</h3>A composable, headless approach is the last word in sustained content adaptability. It’s a rare silver bullet in a hyper-competitive world. No matter how big your content library is, how ambitious your growth plans are, or whatever tech curveball comes next, this approach ensures your enterprise is always ready to execute any strategy at your disposal. As the old saying goes, “You can’t control the wind. But you can adjust your sails.” For enterprises hoping to survive the future of content, failing to embrace composable will be like seafaring with a torn canvas: when you can’t capture the momentum of each shift in the breeze, those who can will be waiting for you at the finish line. Want to read more about the power of composable and headless for enterprises? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.storyblok.com/lp/composable-enterprise?utm_source=cmscritic&amp;utm_medium=sponsor&amp;utm_campaign=MKT_GEN_AWA_701W600001qBJFPIA4&amp;utm_term=cmscritic">Download the full guide for free today!</a> <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a>

The Future of Enterprise CMS Is Here – And Only The Adaptable Will Survive

gillian-mays

Fight the Cognitive Overload: Brightspot Lights the Way to Productivity with its Evolutionary CMS Release

Agentic CMS: Why Kontent.ai’s Vision for the Future of Content Management is Inspiring 

<hr /> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilly_Norwood">Tilly Norwood</a> is having a “meteoric” start to her career. In a matter of days, she’s gone from obscure to sensational, pursued by Hollywood talent agencies as the next big star. She’s appeared in a wide array of social media sketches and promotional content, and even a short film. Once, while appearing on The Graham Norton Show, she broke down in tears during an emotional moment.“Three seasons and a podcast,” she said during a stint on a red carpet, somewhere. Three seasons of what, we don’t know. What we do know is that her Instagram and TikTok are blowing up. Of course, there’s one little snag: Tilly isn’t real. Or… is she? <figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRzZL2f4Llw"><div style="position:relative;padding-bottom:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56.2493%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZRzZL2f4Llw" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;top:0;left:0" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div></figure> The story of Tilly Norwood – a completely fabricated AI creation from Xicoia, the AI division of the production company <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.particle6.com/">Particle6 Group</a> – has drawn widespread backlash across the entertainment landscape. With actresses like Emily Blunt calling the faux-actress “really, really scary,” Tilly’s emergence has had a chilling effect on actors and content creators who see it as a threat to authentic human connection and job security.   Ironically, Hollywood has been prognosticating this. Movies like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_(2013_film)">Her</a>, the trippy dystopian flick <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Congress_(2013_film)">The Congress</a>, and a sci-fi sleeper with Al Pacino called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_(2002_film)">SIMONE</a> – from way back in 2002 – offered satirical narratives and cautionary tales of what might happen if AI clones and avatars became convincing enough to replace us in media.Well, that day has arrived. And it’s not just Hollywood wrestling with these challenges. Businesses are investing in tools that enable realistic human avatars to create training videos, webinars, and other materials that are completely AI-generated. How good are they? Check out products like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.synthesia.io/">Synthesia</a>, and you'll see they're getting eerily close to the real thing.  But there’s another sinister plot twist in all of this. As voice and image cloning technologies have bridged the uncanny valley between reality and fantasy, a phenomenon called “romance scams” has become more commonplace. In an effort to bolster awareness and fight back against this blight, today, October 3rd, has been adopted as <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://protectingheartsday.com/">“World Romance Scam Prevention Day.”</a>Yes, it's a real thing. But why am I writing about this? Arguably, it falls into the domain of digital experiences and AI. But more importantly, it’s personal. No, I haven’t been “Tinder Swindled” (I’ve been married for 28 years, so the whole mysticism of “swiping right” is completely alien to me). But my aging parents and in-laws have been the target of numerous scams and phishing attacks, and this is perhaps one of the most nefarious types of criminal enterprises – because it preys on our emotions.Whether any kind of digital malfeasance or social engineering has directly befallen you or your family, we have a duty to assist our most vulnerable populations in combating this phenomenon. But one of the biggest problems with romance scams is a lack of effective detection tools. And when it does happen, victims often feel too ashamed to speak out.As AI becomes more robust – and characters with the convincing realism of Tilly Norwood become the norm – this problem is expected to become even worse. Cybersecurity experts stress that publicity, education, and caution are really the only ways to protect internet users.<h3 id="the-heartbreaking-costs-of-romance-scams">The heartbreaking costs of romance scams</h3>At the center of this is a growing epidemic of loneliness in our society. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://ihpi.umich.edu/national-poll-healthy-aging/reports-and-resources/trends-loneliness-among-older-adults-2018-2023">According to data</a> from the University of Michigan, well over one-third of people between the ages of 50 and 80 report feeling isolated or lacking in companionship. The problem is a bit of an enigma, and one that channels like social media tend to both heal and exacerbate. This phenomenon is creating an opportunity for romance scam predators. According to<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC6QkY-2B-2B89U8pvhm5Jz-2Fz69xcpZc08ec-2FPuWOzL5i5kZirlGKhJp1i5zR5d0cHY2DBiN-2BdYl5Wy-2FICrz6-2BaeInbA-3DlhvL_LYRc62DeCgOg3NLqF-2FA1Nkc-2BB6iSCezTSr7cATVeIt7vbFxqkjj807TkbpGOsHdtP-2FHWYQ8hHG-2Bh0tJIgFVOZKYjgZ1NmctFnL6YEY4pGF8o-2F6ojRynMcklKajsMhnZp87tbcv-2BQ5M2UgGAGvgT9seoHj3BAVvSJUt6Rk-2FfquSbPJiy9DvJBaQNJXHswjXDQYg1V6iXFgkVHTrf03u0YjGkgg1OYtsbQMYJbRoj9xXUgUb4rYi9kfZQCp1tU4myWGOOEx9M4DbGH1pvWXS5gDHXL18WD7XX9Uev2q6rYPuvXg92AxWnNGeCsMmFzg0TURNlFgE2zNo3A1Zdu6HxASw-3D-3D"> </a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC6QkY-2B-2B89U8pvhm5Jz-2Fz69xcpZc08ec-2FPuWOzL5i5kZirlGKhJp1i5zR5d0cHY2DBiN-2BdYl5Wy-2FICrz6-2BaeInbA-3DH5p8_LYRc62DeCgOg3NLqF-2FA1Nkc-2BB6iSCezTSr7cATVeIt7vbFxqkjj807TkbpGOsHdtP-2FHWYQ8hHG-2Bh0tJIgFVOZKYjgZ1NmctFnL6YEY4pGF8o-2F6ojRynMcklKajsMhnZp87tbcv-2BQ5M2UgGAGvgT9seoHj3BAVvSJUt6Rk-2FfquSbPJiy9DvJBaQNJXHswjXDQ4oom7O2EH3G4gzU029Mh3aY85uVpd0N6B3w9amiJ-2Fs4wRWDGf8vaEZKmD1f7DRP2HDe3v1Fn3tCpskHuJTb-2Fn-2B5-2F0AvVBUopQEJhc-2FGyZuwgcU8lvBbXHMjR5tizPfNkvRSbpvCAyvN3pmKBPM-2F7wQ-3D-3D">Low Cost Detectives</a>, in the United States alone, romance scams have increased from $547 million in 2021 to over $1.3 billion in 2024, with victims losing an average of $15,000. It's not just an emotional tragedy – it's a financial one.“While old-fashioned malware does not choose its victims, a variety of studies show that this new generation of scams targets the most vulnerable internet users: lonely people and those less aware of the dangers of modern online life,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomas-sinicki-312b8a10/">Tomas Sinicki,</a> managing director at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nordprotect.com/">NordProtect,</a> a leading identity theft protection service. “This puts romance scams among the fastest-growing scam categories.” What makes romance scams particularly effective is that they exploit deep human needs and vulnerabilities while relying on very specific strategies. According to NordProtect, criminals often pose as people in respectable positions (think soldiers or doctors), and rarely ask for money right away. Instead, they take time to build trust and emotional dependency, playing on loneliness, hope, and the desire for companionship. They might even send small gifts or tokens of affection before asking for larger favors.AI has made this deception much easier to produce and maintain. Scammers can now create trusted, hyper-realistic characters with voice-cloning and video deepfakes, allowing them to scale their operations and maintain multiple long-term conversations at once without burning out. In other words, they can keep at it, nurturing trust and ultimately penetrating the emotional bubble. As Sinicki explained, romance scam victims feel ashamed, but scams exploit emotions – not intelligence. That means anyone can fall for them.“Since we lack reliable tools to detect AI-generated content, education and caution are essential. But above all, having reliable online fraud insurance that includes romance scam coverage as well as other forms of fraud is an essential precaution.”<h3 id="how-to-increase-safety-from-ai-driven-romance-scams">How to increase safety from AI-driven romance scams</h3>As part of “World Romance Scam Prevention Day,” NordProtect has a few tips on how to avoid romance scams and protect your family – and even yourself – online:<ul><li>Be skeptical but respectful: Stay cautious without ruining the relationship by maintaining your own doubt. If your chat friend takes offense, explain why you’re being careful. A genuine person will understand, while a scammer will likely react with anger.</li><li>Ask someone you trust for a second opinion: Before investing emotionally, consult a friend or family member. They may spot red flags you’ve missed. This is a tough one, but more urgent given the sophistication of scams.</li><li>Stay alert, even if you made first contact: Initiating the conversation doesn’t make you immune. Scammers can still manipulate you. In fact, that might be part of their play. </li><li>Examine videos closely. AI-generated videos still have their flaws, although the “uncanny valley” effect is beginning to dissipate. But if you look closely, you can still spot the signs: unnatural facial movements or blinking, strange expressions, blurry edges around the face, mismatched skin tones, and inconsistencies with teeth or fingers. Watch everything carefully, consider the source, and always assume it might not be real.</li><li>Use security tools and consider identity theft protection services: While technology alone cannot stop social engineering, trusted solutions (like NordProtect) offer comprehensive support for victims of romance scams and other types of online fraud.</li></ul><h3 id="there's-still-a-lot-to-love-with-ai">There's still a lot to love with AI</h3>Tilly Norwood isn't heading back into the genie's bottle. Unless it's a reboot of I Dream of Genie.There's a lot to address when it comes to the safety and security of the internet. It's a slippery slope, and the ledge is always getting tighter. AI is complicating our footing in unfathomable ways, and we're going to fall. The goal is to avoid the worst impacts, but when it happens, learn from the pain – and work to prevent it in the future. A lot of that comes down to practical, non-digital strategies that rely on our vigilance. When it comes to protecting your family, model skeptical behavior. Have open conversations with both your kids and, if you’re like me, your aging parents. Be honest about the risks; it’s in their nature to trust people of authority, so encourage them to ask for proof or credentials when engaging in a digital chat or conversation. With broader attacks that leverage AI-generated personas – which could be mimicking you or your family members – adopt a code word that you can use to confirm your identity. These avatars are becoming incredibly sophisticated, and it's only a matter of time before they get a call that is convincingly like you. Add on a layer of dementia or other intellectual disability, and it can multiply the potential for problems. AI has a great propensity to improve our world. But like any technology, the bad actors will pervert it into something that can be financially and even emotionally devastating. The best we can do is remain strong – and give those Tinder Swindlers the cold shoulder.  <hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Tainted Bot Love? AI Lotharios Get the Cold Shoulder on ‘World Romance Scam Prevention Day’

<hr /> Every conversation I'm having right now with vendors, agencies, and enterprises is squarely focused on agentic AI. Without question, it represents a game-changing initiative for organizations as they look to transform their operations – and prepare for the promise of the agent-to-agent ecosystem.While I've been steadily tracking the evolution of digital experience platforms and their customer data layers, I've also been paying close attention to the pure-play CDPs and data platforms, each of which is leveraging its composable position and innovating in unique ways. As the data warehouse takes on an even more strategic role in the AI landscape, we're seeing more transformation – and faster. That's certainly been the case with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/hightouch">Hightouch</a>, a composable CDP and AI decisioning platform that's keenly focused on activating data warehouses to power personalized marketing. They've been aggressively solving some of the key operational challenges within the data channel, adding <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/hightouch-adds-new-ai-powered-adaptive-identity-resolution-to-its-cdp">AI-Powered Adaptive Identity Resolution</a> to its CDP, and even <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/hightouch-partners-with-narrative-io-to-power-multi-vendor-identity-resolution-and-activation">partnering with Narrative I/O and Snowflake</a> to provide multi-vendor identity resolution and activation.Hightouch is definitely blazing its own trail, ignited by an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/u-cant-touch-this-cdp-hightouch-nails-80m-series-c-to-power-its-ai-decisioning">$80 million Series C</a> that closed earlier this year. While AI decisioning continues to be a key emphasis (and a category we're following with several other vendors), the company is driving its position as a data and AI agent platform for marketers. With agentic AI exploding at the seams – and the potential for extending agents beyond vendor ecosystems – it's clear that Hightouch is making a strong play as it telegraphs its differentiated value in this area. Now, it's adding the right talent to lead the charge by bringing an AI heavy hitter to its ranks. Announced today, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/akilesh-bapu-24b333258/">Akilesh Bapu,</a> co-founder and former CEO of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.deepscribe.ai/">DeepScribe</a>, has joined Hightouch as Head of AI Product Development. Bapu will lead the company’s AI product strategy, focusing on the development of autonomous, context-aware marketing agents that leverage Hightouch’s Composable CDP foundation.<h3 id="adding-an-ai-luminary-to-the-team">Adding an AI luminary to the team</h3>AI talent acquisition is fast becoming a key strategy for organizations, with leading tech brands like Meta and OpenAI <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/06/ai-talent-war-tech-giants-pay-talent-millions-of-dollars.html">spending hundreds of millions</a> on human capital to drive their strategies. Successful experience and demonstrable outcomes are key fixtures on the resumes of many candidates entering these roles, which makes the playing field much tighter – and incredibly competitive. Bapu is a rare gem in the AI talent pool. His technology credentials certainly put him at the top of the ladder, but they're bolstered by his proven business acumen. During his tenure at DeepScribe, he helped pioneer a medical AI solution that provides ambient clinical documentation by listening to patient-provider conversations in real time. Based on the input, DeepScribe automatically generates accurate medical notes that integrate into electronic health records, helping doctors save time and focus more on patient care.It's clear that governance, compliance, and trust were key considerations for Bapu and his team at DeepScribe. The sensitivity to a highly regulated intersection of AI and healthcare data has equipped him with the added muscle for managing risk relative to data privacy. No small task.As CEO, he also successfully built DeepScribe's growth strategy, leading multiple funding rounds and scaling the business through partnerships with major health systems. His work has established him as one of the foremost executives in applied AI, and he sees ample opportunity for leveraging his experience with Hightouch.A graduate of the esteemed UC Berkeley College of Engineering, Bapu was previously an NLP research scientist at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/19024048/">Berkeley Artificial Intelligence Research</a>, where he focused on deep learning. He even has some Apple DNA in his work history. He is also a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fprofile%2Fdeepscribe%2F&amp;esheet=54331279&amp;newsitemid=20251001835418&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=Forbes+30+under+30+honoree&amp;index=1&amp;md5=a5a00a53af80fed5a4be049367454795">Forbes 30 under 30 honoree</a>. <h3 id="powering-context-aware-marketing-agents">Powering context-aware marketing agents</h3>As we know in the CMS category, context is now driving the AI horizon. The same is true for CDP, where marketing presents a uniquely powerful domain for agentic AI. This is due to its closed-loop posture, which supports workflows that are fully autonomous and continuously optimized against enterprise data. Context-aware marketing agents are intelligent systems. They use AI to collect and interpret real-time data about a customer's behaviors, or "context," to deliver highly personalized and relevant marketing actions. Unlike traditional chatbots that use predefined scripts, these agents can adapt their behavior by remembering past interactions, analyzing user intent, and integrating data from various sources. CDPs (at least the best ones) are designed with scale as a cornerstone. With integrations across leading data platforms – including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.snowflake.com/en/">Snowflake</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/databricks">Databricks</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/products/google-cloud-platform">Google</a> – Hightouch is positioned to bring its enterprise-grade context to agentic reasoning, and do it at incredible scale. This could provide significant value to brands that are banking on agentic strategies to help drive the future of their personalized marketing by leveraging unfettered access to data. “As foundation models rapidly commoditize, the real breakthroughs will emerge at the application layer,” said Bapu. “Hightouch’s combination of deep enterprise data access and agentic reasoning creates the conditions for AI marketing agents that not only assist, but truly operate autonomously to drive measurable outcomes.”<h3 id="why-it-matters">Why it matters</h3>Hightouch is already setting a high bar in the pure-play CDP category. They are reimaging their place in the space with a compelling vision for AI and how agents can be harnessed across the data landscape. As a composable solution, Hightouch is uniquely positioned with the modularity and flexibility to accelerate innovation as enterprises push into new areas with agentic AI. Now, with a proven talent like Bapu shaping its AI product strategy, the company has assembled a dynamic foundation to challenge the market with its differentiated value.Context-aware marketing agents represent an evolutionary step in AI-powered agentic capabilities. They're a big part of this story, providing a continuous cycle of perceiving, analyzing, and acting that can elevate hyper-personalized marketing strategies in compelling ways. With the increased efficiency and scale, brands can harness these agents to make smarter, faster decisions while tapping autonomous workflows that are continuously optimized against enterprise data. By investing in a visionary roadmap for their applications, Hightouch can pull further ahead – and lay the framework for future capabilities. Hightouch is also being steered by a young, brilliant, and fiery leadership team that's focused on disruption. Bapu is cut from the same cloth, and the combined resources could deliver a powerhouse braintrust for new ideas that are accelerated by an AI-centric posture. And bringing in a talent at Bapu's level is sending a strong signal to the market about their overall confidence.“Akilesh’s track record of building transformative AI products and his conviction around the future of agentic workflows make him an extraordinary addition to the team,” said <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejasmanohar/">Tejas Manohar,</a> co-founder and CEO of Hightouch. “Together, we’re building the most advanced AI marketing agents in the industry.”Data is at the center of everything. To compete, modern brands need this kind of forward-thinking technology in their composable stacks to power what's next in the agentic race – and Hightouch just leveled up. While the roadmap has arguably been amplified with Bapu's addition, you should still focus your evaluation on core capabilities relative to your goals and consider the pricing model based on your anticipated scale. But Hightouch should be on your short list.  <hr /><h4 style="text-align:center" id="looking-for-guidance-on-hightouch?-talk-to-an-expert.">Looking for guidance on Hightouch? <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cmscritic.com/contact">Talk to an expert.</a></h4><hr /><h3 id="upcoming-events">Upcoming Events</h3> <img style="width:31.61%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/storyblok-joyconf-2025-logo.jpg" /><h4 id="storyblok-joyconf-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Storyblok JoyConf 2025</a></h4>October 14-15, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands November 4, 2025 – New York, NY November 6, 2025 – Los Angeles, CAJoin us at JoyConf 2025, where the future of content meets the people shaping it. Built for developers, marketers, and digital innovators, this free conference goes way beyond product updates or yet another strategy playbook. It’s where you’ll get inspired, get real, and get connected – to ideas, to the community, and to what’s possible when you build joyfully. Whether you're building lightning-fast frontends or launching cross-channel campaigns, this is where content becomes connection and collaboration becomes second nature. Come for the talks. Stay for the community. Leave with joy. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://joyconf.storyblok.com/">Save your spot.</a> <img style="width:28.9%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/sitecore-symposium-2025.jpg" /><h4 id="sitecore-symposium-2025"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Sitecore Symposium 2025</a></h4>November 3-5, 2025 – Orlando, FLAt Sitecore Symposium, you’ll learn how to meet your customers where they are – across channels, moments, and touchpoints that didn’t exist a year ago. You’ll hear how the boldest brands in the world are transforming content into outcomes and creating experiences that are fast, relevant, and human. Join 1,500 marketers, digital leaders, and technologists in Orlando to see what’s possible when personalization scales, AI accelerates creativity, and trust becomes your competitive edge. This is the Third Wave of the Internet. And this is your moment to lead in it. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://symposium.sitecore.com/">Get your tickets today.</a> <img style="width:31.44%" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2025/08/cms-kickoff-2026-logo.png" alt="" /><h4 id="cms-kickoff-2026"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">CMS Kickoff 2026</a></h4>January 13-14, 2026 – St. Petersburg, FLMeet industry leaders at our fourth annual CMS Kickoff – the industry's premier global CMS event. Similar to a traditional kickoff, we reflect on recent trends and share stories from the frontlines. Additionally, we will delve into the current happenings and shed light on the future. Prepare for an unparalleled in-person CMS conference experience that will equip you to move things forward. This is an exclusive event – space is limited, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.boye-co.com/conferences/cmskickoff26">so secure your tickets today.</a>

Hightouch Taps AI Luminary Akilesh Bapu to Accelerate Push into Context-Aware Marketing Agents

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