Duolingo is restructuring part of the workforce to become a “AI-First” company, according to an internal memo from CEO and co-founder Luis Von Ahn, which later published on the company’s LinkedIn page.
This memo outlines a series of planned changes to how the company operates, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence can be used to streamline processes, reduce manual tasks, and expand content development.
Duolingo gradually stops using contractors to jobs that AI can take over. The company will also begin to assess job seekers and employees’ performance based on how they use AI tools. Von Ahn said staffing increases will only be considered if the team is unable to effectively automate some of the work.
“Being AI-First means we need to rethink many of the ways we work. We can’t make minor adjustments to systems designed for humans,” writes Von Ahn. “AI helps us get closer to our mission. To teach well, we need to create a huge amount of content and do it manually.”
One of the main drivers behind shifts is that you need to create content faster. VonAhn says it takes decades to create new content manually. By integrating AI into your workflow, Duolingo has replaced the process described as a more efficient and automated throw and manual.
The company also developed previously unfeasible features, such as AI-powered video calling capabilities aimed at using AI to provide personalized instruction to the level of human instructors. According to Von Ahn, such tools will move the Duolingo platform closer to its mission and provide language instruction globally.
Internal shifts are not limited to content creation or product development. Von Ahn said most business functions are expected to operate and identify opportunities to incorporate AI into daily work. The team is encouraged to adopt what he calls “constructive constraints.” A policy that promotes automation prioritization before requesting additional resources.
This move reflects wider trends in the tech industry. Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke recently provided employees with a similar directive, urging them to show why the task could not be completed with AI before requesting new personnel. The companies appear to have set new expectations about how teams manage growth in an AI-controlled environment.
Duolingo’s leadership argues that changes are not intended to reduce employee focus on well-being, and the company will continue to support staff with training, mentorship and tools designed to help employees adapt to new workflows. His goal, he wrote, is to eliminate bottlenecks and allow employees to focus on complex and creative tasks, rather than replacing staff with AI.
“AI is more than just a productivity boost,” writes Von Ahn. “It helps us get closer to our mission.”
The company’s move to more automation reflects the belief that waiting too long to embrace AI could miss an opportunity. Von Ahn pointed to Duolingo’s early investment in mobile-first design in 2012 as a model. This shift helped gain visibility and user adoption, including being named Apple’s iPhone App of the Year in 2013.
The transition is expected to take time. Von Ahn acknowledged that not all systems are fully automated and that integrating AI into certain areas such as Codebase analysis is time-consuming. Nevertheless, he said that even if it means accepting the occasional set-off, it’s more important than waiting for the technology to mature completely.
By placing AI at the heart of your operations, Duolingo aims to provide a more scalable learning experience and manage internal resources more efficiently. The company plans to provide additional updates as implementation progresses.
(Photo by photo)
Reference: AI in Education: Balance of Promises and Pitfalls
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