AI is set to replace contractors at Duolingo as part of a “platform shift”
Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn announced that the language learning platform is moving to become “AI-first” in an email sent to employees, and posted to the company’s LinkedIn on Monday — noting that the technology has made teaching to the level of human tutors achievable “for the first time ever.”
Per the email, the shift will involve “a few constructive constraints,” such as using AI to replace work done by contractors‚ as well as looking for AI experience in hiring and evaluating whether employees are using it in performance reviews. It also outlined other longer-term initiatives to be expected at Duolingo moving forward, including getting AI to understand its codebase.
Last week, DUOL’s stock soared after Morgan Stanley analysts raised the already-high price target for Duolingo to $435, citing rapid user growth, strong margins, and a "clear Gen AI upside."
Perhaps keen to keep the company’s stock price associated with the AI trade — Duolingo is up more than 400% since the start of 2023 — von Ahn is betting on a broader shift towards AI that will allow the company to stay “ahead of the curve,” comparing the strategy shift to the platform’s decision to become “mobile-first” back in 2012.
Per the email, the shift will involve “a few constructive constraints,” such as using AI to replace work done by contractors‚ as well as looking for AI experience in hiring and evaluating whether employees are using it in performance reviews. It also outlined other longer-term initiatives to be expected at Duolingo moving forward, including getting AI to understand its codebase.
Last week, DUOL’s stock soared after Morgan Stanley analysts raised the already-high price target for Duolingo to $435, citing rapid user growth, strong margins, and a "clear Gen AI upside."
Perhaps keen to keep the company’s stock price associated with the AI trade — Duolingo is up more than 400% since the start of 2023 — von Ahn is betting on a broader shift towards AI that will allow the company to stay “ahead of the curve,” comparing the strategy shift to the platform’s decision to become “mobile-first” back in 2012.
