On April 29, 2025, Duolingo, the popular language-learning app, announced a major pivot to an “AI-first” strategy, sparking immediate controversy. CEO Luis von Ahn shared the news in an all-hands email, later posted on LinkedIn, outlining plans to replace human contractors with AI for tasks like content creation, while also embedding AI into hiring and performance reviews. The company doubled down on this shift by launching 148 AI-generated language courses on May 1, a feat that took less than a year compared to the 12 years required for its first 100 courses. While Duolingo touts this as a win for scalability and access, the move has ignited a fierce backlash from users, contractors, and industry observers who fear it prioritizes automation over human connection in education.
The new courses, which expand access to languages like Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin for speakers of 28 user interface languages, showcase AI’s potential to accelerate content production. Von Ahn emphasized that AI allows Duolingo to “scale at unprecedented speed and quality,” aligning with the company’s mission to make language learning accessible to all. Features like the AI-driven “Video Call,” which simulates human tutors, and adaptive tools that personalize lessons based on user behavior, highlight how technology can enhance learning experiences. This isn’t Duolingo’s first foray into AI—back in 2023, it partnered with OpenAI to launch Duolingo Max, and in 2024, it cut 10% of its contractors after adopting AI for translations.
However, the announcement has drawn sharp criticism. On platforms like X, users expressed frustration, with some, like
@eerika_lths on May 1, threatening to delete the app over the heavy AI focus. Critics argue that language learning is inherently social, requiring human nuance that AI struggles to replicate. For instance, a user on Reddit, as reported by The Economic Times on April 30, lamented, “I trusted Duolingo would be better and more people-focused than this.” Others pointed to existing issues, such as AI-generated content in less-popular languages like Irish, where computerized voices often mangle pronunciation, making lessons confusing. Aftermath.site noted on April 29 that such errors degrade the user experience, with one user dreading listening exercises due to AI’s inaccuracies.
Contractors and employees are equally concerned. Duolingo’s history of phasing out human roles—starting with translator cuts in 2023 and 2024—fuels fears of broader job displacement. Von Ahn’s email acknowledged that the company will “gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle,” a move mirrored by other tech firms like Shopify, where AI use is now a “fundamental expectation.” While Duolingo insists it’s not replacing full-time staff, instead aiming to free them for “creative work,” the lack of clarity on how many contractors will be affected has sparked unease. TechCrunch reported on May 4 that journalist Brian Merchant called this an early sign of an “AI jobs crisis,” noting that such decisions reflect executives prioritizing cost-cutting over human expertise.
The backlash also raises ethical questions about AI in education. Language learning isn’t just about vocabulary—it’s about cultural context, tone, and connection, elements AI often flattens into bland, derivative output. Vice.com warned on April 30 that Duolingo risks losing its “spunk and soul” by leaning too heavily on automation. Moreover, the company’s admission that AI isn’t “100% perfect” and may lead to “small hits on quality” has fueled skepticism. If AI can’t yet match the quality of human tutors, as some users and contractors claim, is the trade-off worth it? The Washington Post reported in January 2024 that remaining contractors reviewing AI content found it below Duolingo’s standards, suggesting quality concerns may persist.
Duolingo’s defenders argue that AI is essential for scaling education in a world where manual processes can’t keep up. The company’s stock has risen 68% in the past year, per Business Insider on April 29, reflecting investor confidence in its tech-driven growth. But at what cost? The broader trend of AI replacing entry-level roles, as Merchant noted, could exacerbate unemployment, particularly for recent graduates already facing high jobless rates. This isn’t just a Duolingo problem—it’s a tech industry reckoning, where the rush to automate risks alienating the very humans these platforms serve.
As Duolingo navigates this backlash, the company faces a critical test: can it balance innovation with the human-centric mission that made it a beloved platform for over 500 million users? The owl may still hoot, but if it flies too close to the algorithmic sun, it risks losing the trust of learners and workers alike. In a field as personal as language education, Duolingo’s next lesson might be less about AI and more about listening to the humans it claims to champion.
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