Work is not just evolving. It is getting replaced. Duolingo is not framing it that way. Most companies are not. But behind the words like “efficiency” and “creativity” is a clear, unavoidable truth: If your job can be done by AI, it will be. The question is not “Will this happen?” The question is “Are you ready?”
What Happened
Duolingo announced it will stop using contractors for work AI can now handle, as part of a full shift to become an AI-first company. CEO Luis von Ahn made it clear: going forward, headcount will only grow if teams can prove the work cannot be automated. Hiring, promotions, and even performance reviews will factor in how well employees work with AI. This is not just about doing more. It is about doing different.
Why It Matters
This is the moment many people thought would come “someday.” It is happening now. AI is not just speeding up content creation, customer support, and basic operations. It is replacing them. The polite language about “freeing up creativity” only tells half the story. The other half is this: Entire categories of work are disappearing. And companies like Duolingo and Shopify are showing everyone how fast this shift will hit once leaders decide they cannot afford to wait.
How It Impacts You
If you lead a team, the pressure to deliver more with fewer people is coming. If you work solo, the expectation to move faster — with AI as your baseline — is coming. No one will be judged by effort alone anymore. You will be judged by what AI cannot replace in you. Your creativity. Your judgment. Your ability to solve problems no machine can see yet.
3 Things You Can Do Now
- Redefine Your Value: Make a hard list. What parts of your work are irreplaceable? What parts are not? Be honest.
- Build AI Into Your Skillset: Stop treating AI like an accessory. Treat it like a required tool. Make it second nature.
- Stay Aggressive About Adaptation: Every month you delay is ground you lose. Treat staying sharp like part of your job description.
One More Thing
There is no pause button on this shift. There is no “wait and see.” There is only moving faster, thinking sharper, and leading differently. You need an AI readiness plan. What is one part of your career you should upgrade before the market upgrades without you?
~Harrison Painter