Duolingo’s AI-First Strategy Enhances Productivity Without Job Cuts

Months after Duolingo announced its AI-first strategy, CEO Luis von Ahn confirmed that the company has not laid off any full-time employees. Instead, AI is being used to enhance staff productivity.

Von Ahn stated that adopting an AI-first approach requires rethinking work processes. Despite concerns about potential layoffs, the company has maintained its workforce.

With AI, Duolingo can produce significantly more content with the same number of employees. Von Ahn noted that AI aids in the faster creation of language, math, music, and chess lessons.

The chess course, in particular, has seen substantial benefits from AI. Using AI tools, two designers launched the course in under nine months.

Duolingo has been replacing contract workers with AI while increasing full-time hires. Von Ahn emphasized that the goal is not to replace human employees but to achieve more.

Despite fears that AI integration leads to job cuts, Duolingo demonstrates a model where AI and human employees coexist effectively.