Duolingo Implements Workforce Reduction of 10% Amid Increased Integration of AI for App Content Creation

Duolingo Inc., the renowned language-learning software creator, has opted to cut a portion of its contractors while embracing generative AI to enhance content creation. This move is emblematic of the broader trend, where companies are increasingly relying on AI tools to handle tasks traditionally performed by human workers.

A Duolingo spokesperson revealed on Monday that approximately 10% of contractors were onboarded as the company transitions towards increased integration of AI-driven content production and translations. 

Read More: Google Layoff Could Continue in 2024 Amid AI-led Workforce Restructuring

Duolingo: A Language Learning Powerhouse

Founded in 2011, Duolingo entered the public market at $102 per share in July 2021. This educational platform, available through both a website and a mobile app, boasts an extensive offering of over 100 courses spanning more than 40 languages, including fictional ones like High Valyrian from Game of Thrones and Klingon from Star Trek. With a vision to be the primary language instructor for the 2 billion individuals worldwide learning a foreign language, it has garnered a substantial user base, exceeding 500 million globally, as reported in the 2022 Duolingo Language Report. 

Adopting a freemium model, Duolingo provides various subscription tiers that offer an ad-free experience and access to premium features. The flagship revenue generator, Super Duolingo, starts at $6.99 per month for individual subscriptions in the U.S., with additional yearly and family pricing plans available. 

Duolingo’s diverse offers extend beyond language learning, including reading and writing lessons made specially for children aged 3 to 8, maths lessons, a web-based tool catering to classrooms, and structured learning environments. Apart from this, it also has an online standardised test for English, which is recognised by thousands of universities globally. 

Duolingo Champions: Responsible AI in Education

Duolingo asserts its mastery of utilising AI across various facets of its operations, showcasing an increased integration of AI. From personalised language lessons to bolstering security features for the Duolingo English Test (DET) and facilitating music learning through a new course, AI plays a crucial role in the company’s endeavours. The platform stands out as one of the select few companies to collaborate with Open AI for the launch of GPT-4, showcasing a commitment to responsible AI usage in high-stakes assessments. 

Acknowledging the transformative power of AI, Duolingo emphasises its daily impact on language learners and aspiring scholars, highlighting the increased integration of AI into the platform’s functionalities. The platform has enabled tens of thousands to enjoy language learning and has paved the way for numerous individuals to secure admission to prestigious institutions such as Yale, Imperial, and Trinity through the DET. The swift progress in achieving the mission of universal education is attributed to AI collaboration. 

While recognising prevalent concerns and debates surrounding AI, Duolingo stresses the importance of addressing fears associated with the technology. The company calls upon policymakers, including figures like Rishi Sunak and Michelle Donelan, to navigate the complexities of AI responsibly, acknowledging both its positive and potentially detrimental aspects. Duolingo positions itself as a leader in AI by establishing robust standards for educational and psychological testing. It emphasises accountability, transparency, fairness, privacy, and security, all underscored by an increased integration of AI. 

Duolingo’s Active Engagement in AI Discourse

Duolingo actively engages with authorities and stakeholders in the AI discourse. The company has submitted a comprehensive response to the Department of Education on generative AI in education and is scheduled to provide evidence in parliament on the democratisation of AI in education. By actively contributing expertise and insights, the platform seeks to drive advancements and promote responsible AI practices, showcasing its commitment to the increased integration of AI in education. 

Duolingo is confident that AI serves as a powerful tool for scaling education and fostering inclusivity. While personalised 1-on-1 tutoring remains a luxury for many, AI enables Duolingo to offer adaptive and personalised learning experiences to a diverse range of learners. 

AI as a Catalyst for Job Cuts

Duolingo joins the ranks of companies attributing job cuts to the increased integration of AI. Confirming a reduction of around 10% of its contractor workforce at the close of 2023, the company is using AI models like OpenAI’s GPT-4 to streamline content creation and translations. 

The broader application of large language models, such as ChatGPT, raises concerns about the potential impact on various job roles, including those centred around language-based tasks. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs report, AI is predicted to transform 23% of jobs in the next five years, further emphasising the increased integration of AI across industries. 

Insights from a Redditor and Duolingo’s Response

Redditor No_Comb_4582 highlighted the Duolingo layoffs, sharing their offboarding experience on December 15th. They revealed that AI could handle content and translations, rendering certain contractor roles redundant. A company spokesperson clarified that GPT is used for translations, with human experts validating the quality against CEFR standards. 

Duolingo laid off a huge percentage of their contract translators, and the remaining ones are simply reviewing AI translations to make sure they're 'acceptable'. This is the world we're creating. Removing the humanity from how we learn to connect with humanity. pic.twitter.com/YdT6CTB3Kj

— Reid Southen (@Rahll) January 8, 2024

While the company denied labelling the departures as “layoffs,” maintaining they were a result of completed projects or operational improvements, it acknowledged that increased integration of AI played a role in reducing the workforce. 

Read More: ISG’s DevOps Explores Artificial Intelligence and the Workforce: 3 Exciting Points

Impact on Workers and Users

Contractors and Duolingo users expressed dismay at the job cuts, amplifying concerns about AI replacing human workers. The contractor workforce, already grappling with job insecurity, faces added challenges due to the increased integration of AI. Some users worry that AI translations may diminish the value of human experts who possess a deeper understanding of languages, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances. 

In an X post, a contractor mentioned Duolingo’s significant reliance on contractors and raised concerns about the company’s cost-saving motives amidst the increased integration of AI. 

Duolingo, with 600 full-time employees in 2022, faces scrutiny over the potential implications of prioritising AI over human expertise. As it experiences this shift, questions arise about the delicate balance between AI efficiency and the preservation of human-centric language learning experiences in the context of increased integration of AI.