Duolingo Founder: “We’re Betting on AI — and Not Waiting for Perfection”

Duolingo has officially announced a shift to an “AI-first” strategy — the company is now rethinking its entire operation around artificial intelligence. In an open letter, founder Luis von Ahn compared this decision to their 2012 pivot to mobile, which propelled the app to global success. Today, he believes the next leap forward is only possible through generative AI.

The company has already replaced manual content creation with automation. “Without AI, it would’ve taken us decades to scale our materials,” wrote von Ahn. New features include video calls simulating conversations with live tutors — made possible by AI.

Duolingo will begin phasing out contractors whose work can now be handled by AI. The technology will also be integrated into hiring, performance evaluation, and daily tasks. The company insists this isn’t about layoffs, but rather removing bottlenecks and supporting current staff. “We’ll help you with training, mentorship, and AI tools,” the letter says.

Despite these reassurances, the news has sparked backlash. Some users are unsubscribing, deleting the app, and complaining about a drop in quality. One comment reads: “App deleted, owl dead to me.” Another user writes: “Deleting the app after years of use. This is no longer the same Duolingo.”