This year’s Drupal GovCon was one for the record books. Not only did the event sell out, but it also reaffirmed the strength of the Drupal community and its ability to address some of today’s most pressing digital challenges. As a sponsor, organizer, attendee, and speaker, I was proud to represent Digital Polygon and contribute to making the conference a success.
A Spotlight on AI and Real-World Applications
One of the clearest themes throughout the event was the rise of practical AI applications: improving accessibility compliance, enhancing editorial workflows, and unlocking new user experiences. What stood out most was how quickly the community has moved past “what if” conversations into “what’s working now” case studies.
From Search to Ask: How AI Chat Agents Are Transforming Web Experiences
My session, From Search to Ask: How AI Chat Agents Are Transforming Web Experiences, explored one of the most profound shifts we’re seeing in digital behavior.
User behavior is changing fast—people no longer search, they ask. Whether it’s a prospective student looking for application deadlines, a patient trying to schedule an appointment, or a donor looking for impact stats, users today expect fast, accurate, and conversational responses.
We unpacked how AI chat agents are becoming the new front door to digital experiences. This shift from keyword-based search to natural-language interaction carries major implications for content strategy, user experience, and site architecture. Organizations that adapt early will be best positioned to deliver the frictionless, intelligent experiences their audiences now expect.
AI Across the Conference
My session was one piece of a broader wave of AI-focused conversations across Drupal GovCon:
- From Chatbots to Content Magic: The AI-Driven Future of Drupal (Martin Anderson-Clutz) showcased how quickly the Drupal community is moving toward a best-practice AI module ecosystem that empowers users, site builders, and developers alike.
- Modern Tools, Forgotten Faces: Using AI to Bring Museum Archives to Life (Stephen Recker) demonstrated how AWS Rekognition, Lambda, and Drupal were combined to identify unknown individuals in historical photographs—helping surface hidden stories and preserve cultural heritage.
- Elevating Government Search with Vertex AI and Drupal (Sam Lerner) highlighted how government websites are improving their search experience with Google’s Vertex AI search API, transforming search from a frustrating afterthought into a highly useful, modern service.
And there were many more—each reinforcing how quickly Drupal practitioners are turning AI concepts into solutions that deliver tangible impact.
The Value of Community and Collaboration
Beyond the technology, what makes Drupal GovCon so special is the collaboration it fosters. Government agencies, nonprofits, and technology partners came together to share not only their successes, but also their challenges. It’s this level of openness that drives the innovation we’re seeing around Drupal and ensures the platform continues to serve as a trusted foundation for critical digital experiences.
Key Takeaways from Drupal GovCon 2025
- AI is already reshaping digital operations. The community has moved beyond theory to real-world solutions that improve workflows and user experiences.
- Conversational interfaces are the next standard. Chat- and voice-driven experiences are quickly becoming how users expect to find, request, and interact with content.
- Collaboration drives acceleration. Drupal’s open, mission-driven community continues to be the catalyst for rapid innovation across government and enterprise.
Drupal GovCon reinforced what I see every day in my work with enterprise and mission-driven organizations: the expectations for digital experiences are evolving rapidly, and Drupal—paired with AI and a WebOps mindset—is uniquely positioned to meet that challenge.
If your organization is exploring how to integrate conversational AI, strengthen your WebOps practice, or modernize digital operations, I’d welcome the opportunity to continue the conversation.
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