Duolingo CEO on the AI memo that created outrage: Some people assume that it's…
CEO
Luis von Ahn
acknowledged he failed to provide adequate context when announcing the language-learning company's pivot to become "AI-first" earlier this year, sparking widespread user backlash and subscription cancellation threats. In a recent interview with The New York Times,
von Ahn
took responsibility for the confusion, saying the memo was misinterpreted as a cost-cutting measure rather than a strategic enhancement.
Company maintains no layoff policy despite AI integration push
Von Ahn emphasised that Duolingo has "never laid off any full-time employees" and doesn't plan to, despite implementing AI across operations. The $15 billion company, which serves 130 million monthly users, uses contractors for temporary tasks whose numbers fluctuate based on operational needs rather than AI replacement strategies.
The controversial April memo outlined "constructive constraints" including reducing contractors for AI-manageable work and requiring teams to prove AI couldn't handle tasks before new hires. This triggered fierce criticism from users who threatened to cancel subscriptions, with comments like "AI first means people last" flooding social media.
AI transforms workflow without eliminating jobs, exec says
Von Ahn explained that AI enables productivity gains rather than workforce reduction. "What will probably happen is that one person will be able to accomplish more, rather than having fewer people," he told The New York Times. The company has implemented "f-r-A-I-days" - weekly Friday morning sessions where teams experiment with AI efficiency improvements.
The CEO defended Duolingo's transparency about AI integration, noting that while other tech companies pursue similar strategies, "we were open about it." He attributed the backlash to public misconceptions about corporate AI adoption being primarily profit-driven rather than innovation-focused.
Founded in 2011, Duolingo has embraced AI since launch but accelerated integration following recent large language model breakthroughs. The platform now offers AI-powered conversation practice, addressing user reluctance to practice with humans. Despite the controversy, the company reported over 20% user growth year-over-year, suggesting the outcry hasn't significantly impacted business performance.
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