Duolingo to Replace Contract Workers With AI
Updated On: April 30, 2025
Duolingo is taking a bold step toward automation. The language learning company announced it will gradually replace contract workers with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to handle tasks that no longer require human input.
In a statement shared via LinkedIn, CEO Luis von Ahn explained that Duolingo would “stop using contractors in stages to do AI-handable work.” While not all roles will be impacted, the company plans to prioritize AI integration across most functions. New hires will also need to demonstrate AI proficiency, and AI usage will become part of employee performance reviews.
Luis acknowledged that the decision would spark backlash, but emphasized that Duolingo remains committed to supporting its core workforce. “It’s not about replacing Duos with AI,” he said, referring to Duolingo employees. “It’s about removing bottlenecks so we can do more with the outstanding Duos we already have.”
The shift marks a turning point for Duolingo, similar to when it chose to develop mobile-first apps in 2012. That decision positioned the company ahead of competitors and helped it earn Apple’s iPhone App of the Year award. Now, Luis believes embracing AI is just as necessary to meet Duolingo’s mission of scaling content to more learners, faster.
Without AI, he said, it would take decades to update and expand content across languages like English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French. “We owe it to our learners to provide this content as soon as possible,” Luis explained.
Not everyone welcomed the news. Many criticized Duolingo’s move on social media, accusing the company of putting efficiency over workers’ well-being. Some users even threatened to leave the platform in protest.
Luis remained firm, stating that while AI will automate repetitive tasks, human oversight will continue to guide Duolingo’s operations. Employees will also receive new training, mentorship, and AI tools to help them adapt.
Duolingo’s decision follows a broader trend among tech companies. Shopify’s CEO recently issued a similar policy, requiring employees to prove that AI could not do a job before making new hires. At the same time, many platforms that have leaned heavily on AI, especially in customer support, have seen growing complaints about declining service quality. This raises an important question: will Duolingo’s shift to AI lead to the same frustrations for users seeking help?