Duolingo CEO clarifies AI-first memo, says context was missing

After drawing criticism for announcing plans to make the company "AI-first," Duolingo cofounder and CEO Luis von Ahn has offered additional context about the strategy. He said the backlash largely stemmed from how the message was framed, not from the initiative itself.

According to von Ahn, the direction wasn’t controversial inside the company. Outside observers, he noted, often assumed the emphasis on AI was primarily about boosting profits or replacing people. He reiterated that the company has not laid off full-time employees and does not intend to do so.

He acknowledged that the organization did reduce its contractor headcount, while adding that contract staffing has always fluctuated based on project needs and timelines.

Despite the outcry, the impact on business performance appears limited, and leadership remains optimistic about AI’s role in product development. Teams dedicate Friday mornings to hands-on exploration of new tools and prototypes—an internal ritual informally nicknamed “f‑r‑AI‑days.”

The company’s stance, von Ahn suggested, is that AI should accelerate learning experiences and internal workflows while keeping humans at the center of long-term product quality and decision-making.