Key Takeaways
- Duolingo announced it will replace some human contractors with artificial intelligence tools.
- The company is adopting an “AI-first” approach, prioritizing automation over manual work.
- Hiring may decrease, and AI proficiency will influence performance reviews and recruitment.
- This move follows previous cuts to Duolingo’s contractor workforce in January due to AI integration.
- The CEO cited scaling content creation as the reason, acknowledging potential minor quality impacts.
- Some users express concerns about AI-generated learning content quality.
- Other companies like Shopify and Klarna are also heavily integrating AI into their operations.
Popular language learning app Duolingo has confirmed it plans to use artificial intelligence to handle tasks currently performed by human contractors.
CEO Luis von Ahn stated the company will become “AI-first.” As part of this shift, Duolingo will gradually phase out contractors for work that AI can manage effectively.
This new direction could mean slower hiring. Mr. von Ahn indicated that new positions would only be approved if a team demonstrates they cannot automate more of their workload.
Furthermore, the use of AI tools will now be incorporated into employee performance reviews and considered during the hiring process.
The CEO insisted Duolingo cares about its staff and aims to support them through this change with training and resources, even as some company systems are rebuilt.
This isn’t Duolingo’s first workforce adjustment related to AI. In January 2024, the company reduced its contractor numbers by about 10%, shifting more content creation to AI, reportedly for time and cost savings.
In his recent note, von Ahn explained the need for massive amounts of content to teach effectively, arguing manual creation isn’t scalable, according to TechRepublic.
He suggested the company is willing to accept minor compromises on quality for speed, stating, “We’d rather move with urgency and take occasional small hits on quality than move slowly.”
This focus on AI has raised questions among some users about the potential impact on the quality of their learning experience on the app.
Duolingo isn’t alone in this trend. Shopify’s CEO has pushed employees to explore AI solutions before requesting more staff or resources.
Similarly, the fintech company Klarna revealed its AI chatbot performs tasks equivalent to 700 human agents.
However, the push towards AI faces resistance. A March study indicated nearly a third of employees have resisted using AI tools, often due to job security fears or dissatisfaction with the technology.
Research also suggests limitations. A Carnegie Mellon University simulation found that even advanced AI struggled significantly with real-world office tasks, highlighting potential challenges in relying solely on automation.
