Key Insights from DrupalCon Barcelona: Transforming Site Building with AI and Recipes

Attending DrupalCon Barcelona this year was an exciting opportunity to dive into the latest advancements in the Drupal ecosystem. We left the event with valuable insights into how Drupal is evolving to make site building faster, more accessible, and future-proof. From AI innovations to tools that streamline development, here are some of the standout takeaways we’d like to share. 

1. Drupal Recipes: Best Practice, Ready-to-Go Configurations 

One of the key innovations discussed at DrupalCon was Drupal Recipes, which offer pre-built configurations that significantly reduce the time and effort needed to build a site. These repeatable, best-practice implementations allow developers to use predefined setups for various site features. For clients, this means a lower cost of implementation, as much of the functionality they require is already baked into the configuration set. 

Key benefits: 

• Faster time-to-launch: Getting to the first stage of site building is quicker.
• Error minimisation: Tried-and-tested configurations reduce the chance of mistakes.
• Cost-effective: Pre-built solutions lower development costs for clients. 

2. Project Browser: Simplifying the Discovery of Modules and Recipes 

DrupalCon introduced us to the Project Browser, an intuitive tool that simplifies the process of finding and installing the right modules and recipes for your site. For developers and non-technical users alike, this tool lowers the barrier to entry by making it easier to discover what you need without extensive technical knowledge. 

With the Project Browser: 

• Site builders can find recipes and modules in a few clicks, speeding up site creation.
• It opens the door for less-experienced users to try Drupal without getting overwhelmed by complexity.
• Smaller sites or proof-of-concept projects can be spun up quickly, making Drupal more accessible for initial trials before engaging an agency for further development. 

3. AI in Drupal: Revolutionizing Site Development 

Perhaps the most exciting development we encountered was the growing role of AI in Drupal. Through tools like Starshot/Drupal CMS and the AI Contributed Module, Drupal is embracing AI to automate many site-building tasks, offering a highly efficient way to create complex features without requiring extensive manual coding. 

What AI will bring to Drupal: 

• Automated alt-text generation for images, saving time for content managers.
• AI-assisted theme creation: Moving from a Figma file to an editable Drupal theme is now possible through AI, eliminating the need to build themes from scratch.
• Quick feature development: Advanced site features, like chatbots, can be built in just a day.
• Improved content management: AI can suggest SEO-optimised summaries, titles, taxonomies, and even generate images—making content management much faster. 

One real-world success story we learned about was Network Rail’s Delay Repay system, which uses AI to verify ticket images. This process has been reduced from 30 minutes to just 2 minutes, with an accuracy rate of 99.5%, highlighting the immense potential of AI within Drupal. 

4. Drupal’s Edge Over Other CMS Platforms 

One key theme at DrupalCon was how Drupal's advancements in AI and user-friendly tools set it apart from other CMS platforms. For example, while WordPress is known for its low barrier to entry, Drupal is now catching up in terms of ease of use—thanks to tools like Recipes and Project Browser—while still offering unparalleled flexibility and scalability. 

Key advantages of Drupal over other CMS platforms: 

• AI-driven efficiency: Drupal’s AI modules automate complex tasks like content generation and feature development, making it a powerful framework for both small and large sites.
• Feature-complete: Drupal’s modules and tools are comprehensive, allowing users to integrate advanced features without needing extensive development time.
• More accessible: With Project Browser and AI, non-technical users can explore Drupal more easily, making it an attractive option for smaller businesses or proof-of-concept projects. 

DrupalCon Barcelona left us with a clear vision: Drupal is rapidly becoming one of the most accessible, efficient, and feature-complete CMS platforms available today. With AI-driven advancements and user-friendly tools like Drupal Recipes and Project Browser, it’s easier than ever to build and experiment with Drupal—whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out. 

At Reading Room, we’re excited to leverage these tools to create even more impactful digital experiences for our clients. If you’re looking to build or optimise your Drupal site, these advancements offer exciting new possibilities to streamline development and enhance functionality.