Duolingo, the popular language-learning platform, has announced a 10% reduction in its contractor workforce and an increased reliance on AI tools to handle their previous tasks. The move comes as part of the company’s strategy to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Although the specifics of the contractors’ roles were not disclosed, a Duolingo spokesperson mentioned that the decision to downsize was driven by the fact that AI tools can now effectively perform many of the tasks previously carried out by contractors. This shift is aligned with the company’s effort to leverage technology to create new content at a significantly faster pace.
Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn had previously emphasized the company’s commitment to integrating AI into its operations during a shareholder meeting. The language-learning platform is employing AI to generate content scripts more efficiently and to produce the voices users hear within the app. Last year, Duolingo introduced customer-facing AI features such as Duolingo Max, a premium tier that provides subscribers access to a chatbot for explanations of correct and incorrect responses. Another feature, called Roleplay, allows users to practice their language skills in simulated scenarios.
It is important to note that Duolingo’s decision to reduce its contractor workforce does not signify a complete replacement of human workers with AI. Many of the company’s full-time employees and contractors are using AI tools to enhance their work, rather than being entirely substituted by the technology.
The growing use of AI in various industries has raised concerns about job displacement. However, in this case, the reduction in the contractor workforce does not affect full-time employees, indicating that Duolingo is exploring ways to integrate AI into its operations without major disruptions.
As Duolingo continues to embrace AI technology, it remains dedicated to providing comprehensive language-learning experiences to its users while optimizing its internal processes for better productivity.