# Duolingo Declares “AI-First” Strategy, Replacing Contractors with AI-Powered Automation

## Duolingo Declares “AI-First” Strategy, Replacing Contractors with AI-Powered Automation

Duolingo, the popular language learning platform, is making a bold shift towards an “AI-first” strategy, signaling a significant change in its operational structure. According to an all-hands email from co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn, the company plans to “gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle.” The announcement, initially shared on Duolingo’s LinkedIn account, highlights a commitment to leveraging AI to enhance content creation and streamline workflows.

Von Ahn emphasizes that this move is not simply about productivity gains, but about fundamentally reshaping how Duolingo operates. “Making minor tweaks to systems designed for humans won’t get us there,” he stated, suggesting a need for comprehensive system overhauls to fully integrate AI capabilities. He believes that embracing AI will allow the company to scale content creation more effectively, ultimately enabling them to reach more learners faster. “Without AI, it would take us decades to scale our content to more learners. We owe it to our learners to get them this content ASAP.”

The “AI-first” approach will be guided by several “constructive constraints,” including:

* **Replacing Contractors:** Gradually phasing out contractors in roles that AI can automate.
* **AI in Hiring:** Prioritizing candidates with AI expertise during the hiring process.
* **AI in Performance Reviews:** Evaluating employees based on their ability to leverage AI in their roles.
* **Automation-Driven Headcount:** Granting additional headcount only when teams demonstrate they cannot further automate their work.

Von Ahn attempts to allay concerns about job displacement, stating, “Duolingo will remain a company that cares deeply about its employees.” He clarified that the focus is not on “replacing Duos with AI,” but rather on eliminating bottlenecks and enabling employees to concentrate on more creative and complex tasks. Duolingo plans to support this transition by providing employees with enhanced training, mentorship, and AI-focused tools.

This strategic shift echoes similar sentiments expressed by other tech leaders, such as Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke, who recently urged teams to prioritize AI solutions before requesting additional resources or headcount. This trend indicates a growing industry-wide recognition of AI’s transformative potential and a proactive approach to integrating it into core business operations.

By embracing AI, Duolingo aims to not only increase efficiency and scalability but also to deliver more personalized and effective language learning experiences, ultimately furthering its mission of making education accessible to all. The move underscores the growing importance of AI in the education technology sector and sets the stage for potential future innovations in personalized learning and content creation.