Duolingo to cut contractor roles as it adopts AI-first model

The company will use AI to scale content faster and restructure teams for long-term agility.

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Duolingo will begin gradually phasing out contract workers for tasks that can be handled by artificial intelligence, according to an internal memo from co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn.

The move is part of a broader shift to becoming an “AI-first” company, with von Ahn stating that Duolingo must fundamentally rethink how it operates to scale faster and reduce reliance on manual work.

The memo, shared publicly on the company’s LinkedIn page, outlined several structural changes.

Among them, contractor roles will be reduced, hiring decisions will prioritise AI competence, and performance reviews will factor in AI usage. Headcount increases will be approved only when automation is not feasible.

“This isn’t about replacing Duos with AI,” von Ahn wrote, referring to Duolingo employees. “It’s about removing bottlenecks so we can do more with the outstanding Duos we already have.”

The language learning app has already implemented AI in several areas, including content generation and product development. Von Ahn highlighted the company’s need to produce a vast amount of educational material rapidly — something he said would be impossible without AI.

“We owe it to our learners to get them this content ASAP,” he stated, noting that manual processes would take decades to scale.

Duolingo previously cut around 10% of its contract workforce in early 2024, citing increased AI integration. The company has also experimented with AI-powered features and chatbots, including a model based on one of its in-app characters.

The changes echo a growing trend across the tech industry, with leaders at Shopify, Uber, and others emphasising AI proficiency as a requirement for modern workforces.

Duolingo’s stock has surged 68% over the past year, supported by growth in paid subscriptions and expansion into areas like music and chess.

Despite the cuts to contract roles, von Ahn stressed that full-time employees will remain a central part of Duolingo’s strategy, with plans for training and mentorship in AI tools.