Duolingo's AI Pivot Sparks User and Employee Backlash

Language learning app Duolingo's announcement of its shift to an "AI-first" strategy, planning to replace some contractors with AI, has ignited a fierce backlash. Young users took to social media to express their anger, even deleting the app in protest. This incident reflects growing public concerns about AI's large-scale replacement of human labor and increasing discontent with the technology's potential negative impacts, such as copyright infringement and environmental damage. While Duolingo claims AI won't entirely replace employees, its move aligns with similar downsizing trends in other tech companies, fueling fears of AI threatening jobs.