Duolingo’s Shift to AI Sparks Fears of an Emerging Jobs Crisis
This week, Duolingo announced it’s transitioning to an “AI-first” strategy, replacing many of its contractors with artificial intelligence. Journalist Brian Merchant called the move a clear sign that the long-anticipated AI jobs crisis “is here, now.”
According to Merchant, the shift is not exactly new. He spoke with a former Duolingo contractor who revealed that the company had already begun cutting contractor roles in late 2023, eliminating about 10% of its external workforce. Another wave of layoffs followed in October 2024, with AI tools stepping in to take over tasks previously done by human translators and writers.
Merchant also referenced The Atlantic’s reporting on the rising unemployment rate among recent college graduates. One potential factor: companies are either replacing entry-level positions with AI or redirecting their budgets toward AI development instead of hiring young professionals.
“This crisis,” Merchant argued, “isn’t about robots taking over — it’s about executive decisions to slash labor costs and tighten control.” He described the fallout as visible in the “attrition of creative industries, declining freelance incomes, and a general trend of companies choosing to hire fewer people.”
He summed it up bluntly: “The AI jobs crisis isn’t some sci-fi scenario. It’s DOGE laying off thousands of government workers under the banner of an ‘AI-first strategy.’”
