Duolingo says it’s replacing contractors with AI

Duolingo, the popular language-learning platform, is transitioning to an "AI-first" operational model, signalling a significant shift in its approach to content creation and workforce management.

In an internal memo shared publicly, CEO and co-founder Luis von Ahn outlined the company's strategy to phase out contractors for tasks that artificial intelligence can perform more efficiently.

This move is part of Duolingo's broader initiative to incorporate AI into various aspects of its operations, including content generation, hiring processes, and performance evaluations.

Von Ahn emphasised that this transition is not about replacing full-time employees but about leveraging AI to handle repetitive tasks, thereby allowing human staff to focus on more creative and strategic roles.

He likened this shift to the company's 2012 decision to prioritise mobile development, suggesting that embracing AI is crucial for scaling Duolingo's services effectively.

So as part of this transition, Duolingo laid off approximately 10 per cent of its contract workforce at the end of 2023. These contractors were primarily involved in tasks such as content creation and translation, roles that AI is now set to undertake.

The company clarified that no full-time employees were affected by these layoffs and that efforts were made to reassign impacted contractors to other positions before resorting to offboarding.

Despite the increased reliance on AI, Duolingo maintains that human oversight remains integral to its operations, but AI is being utilised to accelerate content creation and improve efficiency. Even so, human experts continue to review and refine AI-generated materials to ensure quality and accuracy.

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