Duolingo announced a major organizational change by planning to eliminate contract workers through the implementation of artificial intelligence over time. CEO and cofounder Luis von Ahn announced through LinkedIn that Duolingo transformed into an “AI-first” company through a company-wide email.
The changes implemented by von Ahn extend past increasing efficiency, according to his statement. The AI technology provides more than just productivity improvements, according to him. The technology enables our organization to achieve its mission more effectively. According to him, the massive creation of teaching content through manual labor cannot be scaled effectively. The company has already accelerated content delivery through AI automation, which Duolingo plans to scale throughout its operations.
The AI-first transformation at Duolingo requires new operational policies to be established. The company plans to cut contractors from positions that AI systems can efficiently manage. AI usage assessment forms an integral part of both hiring decisions and performance evaluations, and new employee approvals require proof that automation is impossible. The new policies function to remove repetitive work so staff members can dedicate their time to innovative and purposeful activities.
The company leader, Von Ahn, told staff members that this change does not involve replacing workers but instead aims to eliminate workflow constraints while giving teams more power. Duolingo provides educational programs and guidance to assist staff members in transitioning to work routines managed by AI systems.
Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke published a memo that asked his staff to prove that AI technology could not replace their positions during their headcount justification process.
The integration of AI technology represents a general movement within technological companies. According to von Ahn, the biggest mistake during major shifts is postponing action. Duolingo invests in AI technology at this moment to maintain its leadership position while improving services for its worldwide student base.
