Luis von Ahn, CEO of Duolingo, has announced that the app will focus on AI and bet on the technology for the future. Given the controversy that arises when those two letters are combined, you can be sure that this announcement led to a lot of outrage.
In a company-wide email on LinkedIn, Ahn reveals that contractors will be phased out because it is believed that AI can do their work for them. AI will also be introduced into the hiring process, will evaluate performance reviews and most job functions will fundamentally change with the introduction of the new technology.
Duolingo’s CEO compares betting on AI to betting on mobile in 2012, which led to the app’s success. “Change can be scary, writes the man who will not be affected by it. “But I am convinced that this will be a great step for Duolingo. It will help us better fulfill our mission.”
Some believe this is a positive change for the company, but others in the comments of the LinkedIn post label this a red flag and say they will continue their knowledge elsewhere.