Duolingo is "going to be AI-first," the educational technology company announced, adding that it is replacing contract workers with artificial intelligence.
In an all-hands email from CEO Luis von Ahn, which Duolingo shared April 28 on LinkedIn, he said the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-headquartered company will "shift to AI." Ahn likened the change to how the business bet on mobile in 2012, which he said "made all the difference," as the decision led to Duolingo's app winning the 2013 iPhone App of the Year and ultimately growing its platform.
"AI is already changing how work gets done. It's not a question of if or when. It's happening now," Ahn's email reads. "When there's a shift this big, the worst thing you can do is wait."
Throughout the email, Ahn describes how Duolingo will transition to becoming a more AI-focused company, including not using "contractors to do work that AI can handle."
Duolingo's decision comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 23 to bring artificial intelligence into K-12 schools to better prepare youth for using the advanced and rapidly growing technology.
"By fostering AI competency, we will equip our students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to and thrive in an increasingly digital society," the White House said in a news release. "Early learning and exposure to AI concepts not only demystifies this powerful technology but also sparks curiosity and creativity, preparing students to become active and responsible participants in the workforce of the future and nurturing the next generation of American AI innovators to propel our Nation to new heights of scientific and economic achievement."
According to Ahn's email, Duolingo will also integrate AI into its hiring process, performance reviews, work processes, and "specific initiatives" to fundamentally change how employees work.
"AI isn't just a productivity boost. It helps us get closer to our mission," Ahn's email reads. "To teach well, we need to create a massive amount of content, and doing that manually doesn't scale."
Ahn also referenced how AI will help build features like "Video Call," which he said will allow for the advanced technology "for the first time ever" to teach "as well as the best human tutors within our reach."
"Being AI-first means we will need to rethink much of how we work. Making minor tweaks to systems designed for humans won't get us there," Ahn wrote in the email.
Duolingo will move with urgency to become "AI-first,' despite the technology not being "100% perfect," Ahn added. He acknowledged this tactic could lead to some "occasional small hits on quality," but he said the company "can't wait."
While the announcement could lead to less work and possible opportunities, Ahn said, "Duolingo will remain a company that cares deeply about its employees."
"This isn't about replacing Duos with AI," the CEO wrote in the email. "It's about removing bottlenecks so we can do more with the outstanding Duos we already have."
According to Ahn, current employees will be provided "more training, mentorship and tooling for AI."
"Change can be scary, but I'm confident this will be a great step for Duolingo," he added.
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.