Duolingo Expands with 148 New AI-Created Language Courses
Duolingo has launched 148 new language courses created using generative AI. This expansion doubles the platform's course offerings, marking the largest content increase in Duolingo's history.
This rapid growth is attributed to AI and automation. Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn stated in a press release,
"Developing our first 100 courses took about 12 years, and now, in about a year, we're able to create and launch nearly 150 new courses. This is a great example of how generative AI can directly benefit our learners."
Previously, developing a single Duolingo course took years. Now, with generative AI and other tools, 148 courses were launched in less than a year.
Backlash Over AI Replacing Contractors
Despite the expansion, Duolingo faces criticism for its plan to replace contractors with AI. Von Ahn informed staff via email that the company is shifting to an "AI-first" approach, gradually replacing contractor roles with AI. He emphasized that new headcount will only be approved if a team's work cannot be automated further.
Von Ahn argues that AI is crucial to Duolingo's mission. He stated,
"AI isn't just a productivity boost. It helps us get closer to our mission. To teach well, we need to create a massive amount of content, and doing that manually doesn't scale."
Users have expressed concerns on social media, with some claiming the increased use of AI has led to lower-quality content and inaccuracies within the app. Some users have even deleted the app in protest.
New Course Features
The new AI-powered courses primarily target beginners. They include features like Stories for reading comprehension and DuoRadio for listening comprehension. Duolingo plans to add more advanced content in the coming months.
