Duolingo Turns To AI To Replace Contract Workers

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In case you haven’t heard, Duolingo has decided AI is no longer just a tool. It is now the employee of the month. The popular language-learning platform has begun replacing contract-based human workers with artificial intelligence, raising global eyebrows and possibly affecting Malaysian contributors too.

While the company has not disclosed exactly which roles or regions are impacted, Duolingo has long relied on a network of remote freelancers, including language experts and content creators from countries like Malaysia. The Malay course on the platform, for instance, would have required native speakers to contribute localised content. Malaysians have also taken up contract roles in areas like audio recording and lesson development through platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr, both commonly used by global edtech firms. If these functions are now automated, Malaysian freelancers may find themselves out of the picture.

The move is part of Duolingo’s ambition to become an AI-first company. In practice, that means fewer people and more machines, especially for repetitive tasks like generating exercises or content prompts. According to Duolingo, AI can produce learning materials faster, more efficiently and at a much larger scale compared to traditional methods.

Human employees are being nudged toward more creative or strategic tasks that AI cannot yet handle. The company says it is offering upskilling opportunities so staff can work alongside AI tools rather than be replaced by them. Whether this support extends to contract workers, particularly those outside the US, remains unclear.

Although Duolingo insists it cares about its team, this strategy has understandably caused concern. Job security is hardly a given in the tech industry, and when AI starts replacing people, even creative professionals start watching their backs.

This development is not unique to Duolingo. It reflects a broader trend across tech and education sectors where automation is being prioritised over headcount. For companies, the math is simple. More output with fewer salaries equals better margins.

For Malaysians working in digital content, education or freelancing, Duolingo’s AI shift is a warning worth noting. Global platforms may continue tapping into local talent for now, but if the machine can match or exceed the quality, loyalty will not be enough to keep humans on the payroll.

Duolingo says it wants to do more with its existing workforce. What it is really saying is that it wants fewer people to do more. And in the race between speed, scale and sensitivity, AI is currently in the lead.