Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn Clarifies AI-First Vision Amid Public Backlash
Duolingo’s CEO Luis von Ahn has recently addressed widespread concerns following his company’s aggressive shift toward an “AI-first” operational model, emphasizing that the intention is not to trigger mass layoffs but to enhance educational technology using artificial intelligence.
Earlier in 2025, von Ahn sent a letter to Duolingo employees declaring the company’s strategic pivot to becoming “AI-first,” in which AI would take on expanded roles such as content creation automation, streamlining hiring processes, and reducing reliance on contractors where possible. The CEO stated this approach was aimed at accelerating innovation with the mindset of “moving with urgency,” accepting minor quality hits in exchange for speed and seizing market opportunities.
However, this announcement met with significant public backlash. Educators, contractors, and users expressed fears that AI deployment would displace human workers and reduce the quality of language learning experiences. Social media conversations included calls for boycotting Duolingo, and the backlash arguably contributed to a moderation in the company’s customer growth. Duolingo’s daily active user growth in Q2 2025 rose by 40% year-over-year—still impressive but a marked slowdown compared to the 60% growth recorded in the same period in previous years.
In an interview with The New York Times, von Ahn clarified that the “AI-first” memo was misunderstood externally. He explained that the company never intended to lay off full-time employees, of which Duolingo has over 500, although there have been normal fluctuations in contractor numbers, which is common in business. Von Ahn emphasized that the internal reaction to the AI strategy was not controversial and stressed that the memo was not intended to signal that Duolingo is prioritizing profit over people.
Industry observers note that the reduction in contractors—many of whom are freelance translators and content creators—was likely inevitable as AI capabilities improved, and that the memo more so acknowledged an existing trend rather than announcing a sudden shift. Nevertheless, the controversy highlighted the challenges tech companies face when balancing rapid AI adoption with public and worker sentiment.
Beyond the controversy, von Ahn remains committed to leveraging AI to revolutionize language education. In prior discussions and public appearances, he has highlighted AI’s potential to personalize learning experiences and address motivation challenges inherent in education. Duolingo has expanded its offerings to incorporate not only language courses but also subjects like chess and math, aiming to use AI to scale quality education accessible globally.
The CEO’s vision reflects a broader movement in EdTech, where artificial intelligence is viewed as a key tool for adapting curricula dynamically and enhancing learner engagement. Yet, von Ahn’s recent experience underscores the difficulty in communicating such transformative strategies to diverse stakeholders, from users and contractors to investors and educators.
Duolingo continues to be a leading platform with over 116 million monthly users and a valuation nearing $17 billion. How it balances AI innovation with workforce stability and user trust will be critical to watch as the company navigates the evolving intersection of technology and education.