Duolingo, the educational technology platform known for its language, mathematics, and music lessons, is embarking on a significant transition towards an AI-focused business model. On Monday, CEO Luis von Ahn communicated this ambitious strategy through an all-hands email to employees, laying out a vision that prioritizes artificial intelligence in the company’s operations moving forward.
Duolingo Plans to Reduce Contractor Workforce in Favor of AI
Sharing the email via a LinkedIn post, Duolingo’s CEO detailed the transition to an “AI-first” approach, reminiscent of the company’s shift to a mobile-first orientation shortly after its launch in 2012 in response to technological advancements.
Referring to the forthcoming changes as “constructive constraints,” von Ahn outlined several initiatives, including the intention to minimize dependence on contract workers for tasks that can be automated through AI. The hiring process will also emphasize AI proficiency, and the incorporation of AI tools will play a role in employee performance assessments.
In a strategic move, departments will be restricted from hiring additional personnel unless they can demonstrate that they cannot manage the workload using AI solutions. To facilitate a smooth transition, Duolingo plans to implement specific incentives tied to AI across various functions within the company.
The CEO pointed out that a comprehensive restructuring of the organization is essential, stressing that small tweaks to current processes will not suffice. A primary objective of the AI-first approach is to leverage technology to rapidly expand the content available for teaching languages and other courses on the platform. “Without AI, it would take us decades to scale our content to more learners. We owe it to our learners to get them this content ASAP,” he remarked.
Although von Ahn acknowledged the risks involved, he emphasized the need for the company to swiftly adopt these changes rather than waiting for AI technologies to reach maturity. Discussing the intricacies of becoming an AI-first organization, he stated that AI teaching models will be utilized to better understand the Duolingo platform’s existing codebase, ensuring that AI-generated content adheres to the platform’s educational standards and quality.
He also assured current employees that they would receive training, mentorship, and resources focused on AI usage. The CEO clarified that the initiative is not aimed at replacing human workers with AI; rather, it seeks to remove monotonous tasks, allowing employees more time to engage in creative pursuits and address real-world challenges.
A report by Goldman Sachs, cited by BBC, indicated in 2023 that AI could potentially displace the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs. Concurrently, a McKinsey report suggested that around 14 percent of the global labor force, approximately 375 million workers, might need to transition to different occupations due to the rise of AI technologies.
