At the Python Language Summit 2026, David Hewitt presented the Rust for CPython project, led by core developers Kirill Podoprigora and Emma Smith, proposing a phased integration of Rust into CPython to address rising crash reports from complex features like the new parser and JIT. The 60-person team plans to start with an optional Rust implementation of zlib in Python 3.16 (October 2027), with Rust becoming required only in Python 3.18 (2029), while addressing concerns about platform support and knowledge gaps among core developers.