Duolingo CEO clarifies 'AI-first' strategy, denies layoff intent

Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn recently addressed the significant public outcry that followed his declaration earlier this year that the language-learning platform would become an “AI-first company.” In a new interview with The New York Times, von Ahn suggested the core issue was a critical lack of context in his initial remarks, leading to widespread misinterpretation.

Internally, von Ahn stated, the “AI-first” pivot was not met with controversy. He believes the external reaction, particularly from a publicly traded company, led many to assume the move was solely driven by profit motives or, more critically, by an intent to reduce human staff. “That was not the intent at all,” he clarified, emphasizing that Duolingo has never laid off any full-time employees and has no plans to do so. While he acknowledged a reduction in the company’s contractor workforce, he framed this as a natural fluctuation, asserting that their reliance on contractors has always ebbed and flowed with operational needs.

Despite the initial wave of criticism, which seemingly had little discernible impact on Duolingo’s financial performance, von Ahn remains overtly optimistic about the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. His enthusiasm is reflected in the company’s internal practices, where team members dedicate every Friday morning to actively experiment with AI technologies. He even humorously acknowledged the awkward acronym they’ve coined for these sessions: “f-r-A-I-days,” admitting he struggles with its pronunciation.

This episode highlights a growing tension as technology companies increasingly integrate AI into their core operations. The public often views such shifts through the lens of job displacement, particularly in an era where automation is a frequent topic of debate. For Duolingo, a company built on making language learning accessible, the “AI-first” label likely conjured images of algorithms replacing human educators or content creators. Von Ahn’s clarification seeks to reframe this narrative, positioning AI not as a substitute for human talent, but as an enhancing tool designed to improve and expand the user experience. The company’s continued financial stability, despite the public relations hiccup, suggests that for investors, the strategic embrace of AI may outweigh immediate public perception concerns.