After previously stating Duolingo would reduce its reliance on human contractors in favor of AI, CEO Luis von Ahn has backtracked amid public backlash. Von Ahn clarified that AI is intended to augment, not replace, employees and confirmed ongoing hiring. The company now emphasizes AI as a support tool to improve efficiency and quality while supporting staff through training. Similar reversals have occurred at companies like Klarna and Shopify, as results show AI has yet to deliver promised productivity gains. Broader skepticism is growing about the disruptive potential of “AI-first” strategies, partly due to poor results and concerns about AI’s training methods and accuracy.
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