Duolingo, the popular language-learning app, is undergoing a significant transformation with its shift to an “AI-first” strategy. CEO Luis von Ahn announced this change in an internal email, outlining a plan to leverage artificial intelligence to streamline operations and accelerate content creation. A key aspect of this shift involves reducing reliance on contract workers for tasks that AI can now perform more efficiently. This decision is based on the belief that AI is crucial for scaling content production to meet the demands of Duolingo’s expanding user base. Von Ahn argues that manual content creation is no longer sustainable for their growth trajectory, and AI offers a scalable solution.
This transition will also impact hiring practices and performance evaluations. The company will prioritize candidates with AI proficiency and will only approve new hires if a team cannot automate more of its work. While the CEO emphasizes that this isn’t about replacing human employees entirely, it signifies a significant realignment of roles and responsibilities. Employees will be expected to adapt to working alongside AI and focus on more complex, creative tasks. Duolingo plans to provide training and support to facilitate this transition. This strategic move echoes similar announcements from other tech companies, highlighting a broader industry trend towards AI-driven optimization.
See:
https://www.theverge.com/news/657594/duolingo-ai-first-replace-contract-workers