Duolingo’s Shift to AI Raises Concerns Over Job Losses

Duolingo, the world’s most valuable education startup and home to more than 1,100 laid-off employees since May, has been in the news. At the end of 2023, the company laid off about 10% of its contractors, hitting translators the hardest. This decision marks a significant reversal for Duolingo. To that end, the company is shifting to an “AI-first” model, replacing human contractors with automated artificial intelligence technologies.

The move to replace contractors with AI is not a completely new one for Duolingo. One former contractor noted that as far as automating human work with AI goes, the company has been at it for years. Make no mistake, this strategy is nothing new. In October 2024, Duolingo doubled down on this by laying off even more of these contractors, this time targeting writers. The massive series of cuts reflects a broader pattern in the tech industry’s recent layoffs. It’s no wonder companies are using AI more than ever to drastically reduce labor costs and maximize operational efficiency.

As Duolingo’s recent round of layoffs has made clear, we are in a troubling new era where rapid technological advancement leaves many anxious about their job security. The company is all-in on AI, raising gut-wrenching questions about the future of work. Recent college graduates are still struggling with near, and in some cases exceeding, depression level unemployment rate in today’s job market. Reports from The Atlantic indicate that many recent graduates struggle to secure stable employment, a situation exacerbated by the rise of AI and automation.