Overview

• In a New York Times interview, Luis von Ahn said Duolingo has never laid off full-time employees and does not plan to because of AI.
• He conceded that his April AI-first memo lacked context and took responsibility for the backlash it triggered.
• The memo set "constructive constraints," including phasing out contractor tasks that AI can handle and hiring only when automation cannot cover the work.
• Contractor headcount will continue to fluctuate with operational needs after a roughly 10% reduction in 2024 partly attributed to AI.
• Duolingo is institutionalizing AI use through weekly "f-r-A-I-days," and von Ahn says roles will shift away from rote tasks as individual productivity rises over the next five years.