Duolingo Replaces Contractors with AI in Strategic Overhaul

Duolingo is restructuring certain teams as it transitions into an "AI-first" organization, according to an internal memo from CEO and co-founder Luis von Ahn, later shared publicly on the company's LinkedIn page.

The memo details a set of planned operational changes, with a strong emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency, minimize manual work, and expand content creation.

Duolingo will phase out contractor roles for tasks that can be handled by AI. The company will also start factoring in how job applicants and employees utilize AI tools during evaluations. Von Ahn noted that adding new staff will only be an option when further automation of a team's responsibilities is no longer achievable.

“Adopting an AI-first mindset requires reimagining much of our current workflow. Incremental adjustments to human-centered systems won’t be enough,” von Ahn explained. “AI supports our mission by enabling the rapid creation of high-quality educational content—something that simply doesn’t scale through manual effort.”

A major catalyst for this change is the urgency to produce learning materials faster. Von Ahn estimates that creating new content by hand could take decades. By embedding AI into their processes, Duolingo has replaced slow, manual tasks with efficient, automated workflows.

The company has also deployed AI to introduce previously unattainable features, such as an AI-powered video call tool designed to simulate the quality of human tutoring. Von Ahn states innovations like these help move Duolingo closer to its goal of delivering accessible language education worldwide.

This internal evolution extends beyond content and product development. Von Ahn emphasized that nearly all business units should re-evaluate their operations and pinpoint areas where AI can be embedded into daily tasks. Teams are encouraged to adopt what he terms “constructive constraints”—guidelines that prioritize automation over requests for additional manpower.

This approach is part of a broader industry trend. Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke recently issued similar guidance, urging employees to first demonstrate that tasks cannot be accomplished using AI before pursuing new hires. Both companies are setting revised expectations for team growth in an AI-driven landscape.

According to Duolingo leadership, the company remains committed to employee welfare and will continue providing training, mentoring, and tools to help employees adjust to new processes. Von Ahn wrote that the objective is not to replace workers with AI, but to remove repetitive tasks so teams can focus on creative and complex challenges.

“AI brings more than just productivity gains,” von Ahn stated. “It helps us deliver on our mission more effectively.”

The shift towards increased automation is grounded in the belief that delaying AI adoption could mean missing a pivotal opportunity. Von Ahn pointed to Duolingo’s early pivot to mobile-first design in 2012 as a precedent—a move that boosted visibility and led to the app being named Apple’s iPhone App of the Year in 2013. Going “AI-first” is positioned as the next strategic milestone.

Von Ahn acknowledged the transition will take time. Not every system is prepared for full automation, and integrating AI into domains such as code analysis may require longer timelines. Still, he stressed the importance of moving swiftly, even if it means occasional hurdles, rather than waiting for complete technological maturity.

By embedding AI at the heart of its operations, Duolingo aims to scale learning experiences effectively and manage resources more strategically. Additional updates will be shared as the implementation moves forward.

See also: AI in education: Balancing promises and pitfalls

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