Duolingo plans to replace contractors with AI

Duolingo has announced a major shift toward becoming an 'AI-first' company by gradually phasing out contractors whose work can be handled by artificial intelligence. CEO Luis von Ahn explained that AI will play a central role in hiring decisions, performance evaluations, and in fundamentally changing most company functions to prioritize automation. The company recently launched 148 new language courses, created using generative AI, which doubled its course offerings in less than a year—a feat that previously would have taken much longer. While Duolingo touts these changes as necessary for scaling content and achieving its educational mission, the move has sparked backlash from users and contractors concerned about job losses and the broader implications of AI replacing human workers. This development reflects a wider industry trend, with other major employers globally also cutting staff due to increased automation. Despite the controversy, Duolingo maintains that the changes will allow it to do more with its existing workforce while supporting its growth and mission.