Duolingo goes all-in on AI and cuts contractor roles
Duolingo will “gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle,” according to an all-hands email sent by co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn, announcing the company’s shift to being “AI-first.” The email was posted on Duolingo’s LinkedIn account on April 28, 2025.
Von Ahn stated that being “AI-first” means the company will need to “rethink much of how we work” and that “making minor tweaks to systems designed for humans won’t get us there.” As part of this shift, Duolingo will implement several changes, including altering its use of contractors, incorporating AI use into hiring and performance reviews, and only granting headcount if a team cannot automate more of their work.
The decision is aimed at removing bottlenecks and allowing employees to focus on creative work and real problems rather than repetitive tasks. Von Ahn emphasized that “AI isn’t just a productivity boost; it helps us get closer to our mission.” He cited the recent replacement of a slow, manual content creation process with one powered by AI as an example, stating that without AI, it would take the company decades to scale its content to more learners.
Von Ahn’s email followed a similar memo from Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke, who required teams to show why they couldn’t achieve their goals using artificial intelligence before requesting more headcount or resources. Duolingo’s CEO assured that the company will remain committed to its employees, providing them with more training, mentorship, and tooling for AI in their functions.
The changes will be guided by several “constructive constraints,” including:
- Gradual stop to using contractors for AI-capable work
- AI use as a factor in hiring decisions
- AI use as a factor in performance reviews
- Headcount allocation based on automation potential
- Specific initiatives to fundamentally change how most functions work
Von Ahn expressed confidence that this shift will be a positive step for Duolingo, enabling the company to better deliver on its mission and stay ahead of the curve in using AI technology.