Duolingo Cuts Workforce by 10% to Prioritize AI Development

According to reports, popular language learning app Duolingo has cut 10% of its contract translators as part of its artificial intelligence (AI) initiative. The company plans to integrate generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) into its services and suggests that it no longer requires as many employees.

Artificial intelligence has been proven to enhance workplace productivity, reduce costs, and help businesses implement digital strategies at a faster pace. However, moves like Duolingo's may further exacerbate concerns about whether artificial intelligence will replace human jobs.

The company is best known for its app-based language learning tools.

Artificial Intelligence Language Learning: Opportunities and Challenges

Artificial intelligence language learning is rapidly becoming a global trend as users worldwide seek easier and more cost-effective ways to learn new languages. However, this new form of artificial intelligence may irreversibly impact a long-standing industry.

When discussing the decision, a spokesperson for Duolingo stated, as reported by the Daily Telegraph: "We simply don't need as many people to do the kind of work that these contract workers were doing before. Part of the reason can be attributed to artificial intelligence."

The company began transitioning to AI translation over a year ago as it aimed to streamline its services. In March 2023, it announced Duolingo Max - a collaboration with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, allowing users to have conversations about language learning with Duolingo's owl.

At the time, Duolingo CEO and co-founder Luis von Ahn said, "Artificial intelligence is accelerating our mission to bring high-quality education to everyone in the world. What we can now do with the power of OpenAI's technology will shape the future of education."

"Most people don't have access to one-on-one human tutors, but I believe that artificial intelligence will eventually allow us to replicate the experience of a human tutor and extend it to everyone in the world."

Ethical Concerns: Worries about 'AI Replacement' Persist

Reports suggest that human translators within Duolingo have also been replaced by artificial intelligence, raising questions about trusting AI to perform tasks previously done by human employees. However, despite language translation being a typical example of a job at risk of being replaced by AI, it can be argued that artificial intelligence cannot recognize specific meanings that professional human translators can understand.

Replacing jobs in this manner with artificial intelligence may also bring potential risks of inaccuracy or lack of business monitoring.

This is not the first time that large companies have downsized their workforce for the sake of artificial intelligence. Particularly in 2023, the tech industry witnessed significant job cuts, including companies like Alphabet, Meta, and BT Group. Reports indicate that innovation company Humane also laid off 4% of its employees before launching its new AI product, Pin, at the end of last year (2023).

In January 2024, Google notably laid off hundreds of employees working in its hardware, voice assistant, and engineering teams. This decision was reportedly made to cut costs.