Duolingo's CEO says he doesn't plan to lay off full-timers because of AI — but their jobs will change

In a recent interview, Duolingo's CEO, Luis von Ahn, emphasized that the language learning platform does not plan to terminate any full-time employees due to the rise of artificial intelligence. "We've never laid off any full-time employees. We don't plan to," he stated in a piece published by The New York Times. Von Ahn noted that while Duolingo relies on contractors for temporary tasks—whose numbers fluctuate based on demand—the roles of full-time engineers are expected to evolve significantly in the next five years. He explained that these engineers may move away from repetitive tasks, enabling them to accomplish more with fewer resources. The CEO also addressed the backlash he faced earlier this year after sharing a memo on LinkedIn about shifting Duolingo to an "AI-first" approach. In the memo, he acknowledged that the company cannot afford to wait for AI technology to become flawless, stating that they must proceed with urgency, even if it means accepting occasional compromises in quality. Von Ahn outlined five "constructive constraints" aimed at integrating AI into Duolingo's operations. These include a gradual decrease in contractor roles for tasks that AI can manage and increasing the full-time workforce only if automation cannot further optimize their tasks. Earlier in 2024, the company announced it had laid off 10% of its contractors, partly due to advancements in AI. He admitted that the negative reaction stemmed from a lack of context in his memo. "This was on me," von Ahn reflected, clarifying that internally, the transition was not contentious. Externally, some interpreted the shift as purely profit-driven or as a move to eliminate human jobs, which was not his intention. In an effort to embrace AI, Duolingo has initiated a weekly event termed "f-r-A-I-days," allowing teams to explore more efficient ways to utilize AI technologies. The growing concern over AI's impact on employment has been echoed by industry leaders, with some warning that up to 50% of entry-level office jobs could vanish in the next five years. However, figures like Paul Graham of Y Combinator have suggested that while lower-level programming jobs are diminishing, skilled programmers will continue to command high salaries, advising individuals to excel beyond basic tasks to safeguard their careers.