April 30, 2025 | 08:50 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Duolingo, a language education service provider, will gradually stop using contract workers and replace them with AI technology. This plan was revealed through an email sent by Luis von Ahn, one of the founders and the chief executive officer (CEO) of Duolingo, to all of its employees. The content of the message was later also published by the CEO on Duolingo's official LinkedIn account.
According to von Ahn, becoming a company that focuses on AI requires redesigning its methods of operation. For him, tweaking systems designed for humans will not be enough. As part of the transition, Duolingo has started implementing several measures, one of which is reducing the number of contract workers whose tasks can be replaced by artificial intelligence.
Citing The Verge, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the company will also integrate the use of AI in the hiring process. There is also consideration to use AI in performance evaluations. Hiring new employees will only be done if there are tasks that cannot be automated.
Although in the process of optimizing AI, or so-called 'AI-first,' von Ahn ensures that Duolingo still cares about its employees. He emphasizes that this new plan is not about replacing the 'Duos'-the term for Duolingo employees-with AI. The management only wants to remove barriers so that employees can focus more on creative work and real problem-solving, rather than doing repetitive tasks.
"AI is not just a productivity enhancement tool," quoted von Ahn from the memo.
He revealed that one of Duolingo's recent best decisions was replacing the slow manual content creation process with an AI-based system. "Without AI, it would take decades to disseminate this content to more students," he said.
Von Ahn also mentioned that AI has helped the company create several features that did not exist before, such as Video Call. For the first time, the ability to teach equal to the best human tutors can now be provided by Duolingo.
To support the transformation, von Ahn emphasizes the importance of moving fast, even though the existing system is not yet perfect. "We prefer to move fast and accept some risk to quality, rather than moving slowly and losing momentum," von Ahn said in his memo.
Editor's Choice: Microsoft Finds AI May Weaken Critical Thinking Skills
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Partners With University of Tokyo to Develop AI Curriculum Framework
1 jam lalu
Indonesia's Communication & Digital Ministry (Komdigi) is exploring a partnership to develop AI education curriculum with University of Tokyo.
May Day: Workers' Union Calls for End to Exploitative Internship Practices
11 jam lalu
President of Aspirasi urged companies to stop unfair and exploitative internship practices that harm Generation Z (Gen Z) ahead of May Day.
Microsoft Finds AI May Weaken Critical Thinking Skills
1 hari lalu
A Microsoft study involving workers from various fields reveals the potential negative impact of AI on the users' critical thinking skills.
200,000 Workers Expected to Join May Day Celebration in Jakarta
5 hari lalu
The May Day celebration will be held at the field of the National Monument on May 1, 2025.
Grok Leaps Forward Rivaling ChatGPT, Gemini with New Real-Time Vision
6 hari lalu
Grok can now answer questions by looking at what is visible through your phone's camera.
Apple's iOS 19 Introduces Smarter Siri with 3 Major Feature Upgrades
6 hari lalu
According to 9to5Mac, three major features will be introduced to Siri in the upcoming Apple's iOS 19 update.
Intel Sets to Lay Off 20% of Workforce Under New CEO
6 hari lalu
Intel is likely to announce this week its plan to cut more than 20 percent of its workforce.
Completion of AI Regulations Draft in Indonesia Targeted for 3rd Quarter of 2025
6 hari lalu
The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) is still speeding up the drafting of artificial intelligence (AI) regulations in Indonesia.
Indonesian VP Gibran Talks of Demographic Bonus: It's Our Turn to Take a Role
7 hari lalu
Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka shared his views on the opportunities presented by the demographic bonus.
Japan Sees Growing Interests for Indonesian Migrant Workers
8 hari lalu
Bank Indonesia records a growing interest of the Japanese society in Indonesian migrant workers. Which sectors are in demand?
