TMTPOST -- Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn has laid out a plan to make the language-learning company "AI-first," detailing how artificial intelligence will influence hiring, performance evaluations, and team staffing. In a memo to employees posted on LinkedIn Monday, von Ahn emphasized moving quickly with AI adoption, even if it means tolerating occasional drops in quality. "We can't wait until the technology is 100% perfect," he wrote. "We'd rather move with urgency than risk missing the moment." Von Ahn outlined three key changes: the gradual phase-out of contractors for work that AI can handle, evaluation of employees based on how effectively they use AI tools, and limiting head count increases only to cases where tasks cannot be automated. Duolingo has already been integrating AI into its operations. In early 2024, the company laid off 10% of its contract workforce after shifting more content creation to AI — a continuation of similar cuts made in 2023. However, von Ahn stressed that full-time employees would not be replaced by AI. "Without AI, it would take us decades to scale our content to more learners," he said, underscoring the company’s commitment to expanding access quickly. Duolingo has also showcased its AI capabilities publicly, including featuring "Lily," an AI-driven chatbot character, during an earnings call last year.