While the effectiveness of this AI transition remains uncertain, von Ahn believes it is a positive direction for the company.

Duolingo acknowledges that this shift may lead to compromises on content quality as it prioritizes speed and scalability.

Duolingo's CEO, Luis von Ahn, has announced a strategic shift for the company to adopt an 'AI-first' approach, aiming to reduce reliance on human contractors for tasks that can be automated.

As part of this transition, existing employees will receive training and mentorship focused on AI, with the goal of enhancing their roles rather than replacing them.

The company views AI as essential for scaling content creation quickly to meet learner demands, as manual processes are too slow.

However, there is skepticism in the industry regarding AI's effectiveness in delivering quality language instruction, raising concerns about potential impacts on learning outcomes.

Public concerns have emerged about the potential decline in content quality and job losses for professionals like linguists and translators due to increased automation.

This move aligns with broader trends in the tech industry, where companies like Shopify and Salesforce are also integrating AI to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Reports indicate that AI could impact millions of jobs globally, highlighting the broader implications of this technology's adoption.

Customer reactions to Duolingo's AI shift have been mixed, with some users expressing dissatisfaction and concerns about the quality of AI-generated content.

The company is also diversifying its offerings, testing new products like chess and music courses, with a first-quarter earnings report set for the end of April 2025.

Despite these changes, Duolingo's stock has seen a significant increase of 68% over the past year, driven by growth in paid subscriptions and new product trials.