Duolingo has recently announced job cuts, citing artificial intelligence (AI) as the driving force behind this decision. At the end of 2023, the company confirmed that it has reduced its contractor workforce by approximately 10% as it increasingly relies on AI models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4, to enhance content production and translation processes.
The widespread usage of ChatGPT and other advanced language models is poised to affect numerous job roles, particularly those involving language-related tasks. A report from the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs highlights that AI is expected to transform 23% of jobs over the next five years.
Reddit user NoComb4582 was among the first to highlight the layoffs, sharing that they were offboarded as a contractor on December 15, accompanied by a screenshot of an email from Duolingo.
“The reasoning provided by [Duolingo] is that AI can generate content and translations, including alternative translations, essentially taking over many tasks previously handled by human translators. They retained a few individuals on each team as content curators to review the AI-generated material before it is finalized,” noted NoComb4582.
A Duolingo spokesperson clarified that GPT-4 assists in translating sentences, followed by validation from “human experts” to ensure that the output meets high-quality standards for educational purposes, in alignment with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which sets international benchmarks for language proficiency.
Additionally, Duolingo leverages GPT-4 to enhance the premium subscription service, Duolingo Max, featuring AI-generated feedback and a chatbot designed to help users practice conversational skills. The company also employs its proprietary AI model, “Birdbrain,” to tailor lesson content to individual users.
Despite the layoffs, Duolingo declined to label the departures as “layoffs,” arguing that only a “small minority” of contractors were affected as their projects concluded. The spokesperson pointed out that factors such as contract completion and “enhancements to content creation operations”—which require fewer personnel—contributed to this reduction. In a statement to Bloomberg, Duolingo also acknowledged that AI was a factor in needing a smaller workforce.
Reactions from both contractors and Duolingo users have been overwhelmingly negative, reflecting deepening anxiety about AI's potential to replace human jobs. This is particularly concerning for contractors, who often face job instability and difficulties securing permanent positions due to inconsistent employment histories.
In a post on X, user @bvnnyjungkook shared her experience as a contractor with Duolingo, emphasizing that the company primarily employs contractors, which typically indicates a strategy to minimize costs by avoiding benefits like health insurance and paid leave. According to company filings, Duolingo employed 600 full-time personnel in 2022.
"I was a Duolingo contractor for two years. It was evident that they prioritize AI and exploit the fact that most of their workforce is contract-based, leading to a lack of security and benefits," she tweeted.
Moreover, Duolingo users are concerned that AI-generated translations may diminish the value of human expertise, particularly regarding nuanced language, idioms, and cultural context.
"With Duolingo reducing its contract translator workforce significantly, the remaining contractors seem to be mainly reviewing AI translations for acceptability. This is the future we’re creating—stripping away the human element from our language learning experience," commented Reid Southen (@Rahll) on Twitter.
Duolingo has recently launched a new subscription tier that includes access to an AI tutor powered by GPT-4, further illustrating its commitment to integrating AI into language learning.
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