Duolingo’s AI Revolution: How the App Doubled Its Language Courses Overnight

Language learning has taken a giant leap forward, thanks to artificial intelligence. On April 30, 2025, Duolingo announced a groundbreaking expansion—adding 148 new language courses, more than doubling its previous offerings. This bold move, powered by AI, underscores the company’s commitment to making education accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Breaking Down the Expansion

Duolingo’s latest update isn’t just about adding more languages—it’s about breaking down barriers. Seven of the most popular non-English languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin, are now available across 28 supported interface languages. This means learners from diverse linguistic backgrounds can study in their native tongue, eliminating the need for English as a middleman.

The real innovation lies in how quickly this expansion happened. Traditionally, developing a single language course took years of meticulous work. Now, with the help of generative AI and internal tools, Duolingo’s team has reduced that timeline to under a year. Jessie Becker, Senior Director of Learning Design, clarified that AI isn’t replacing human expertise but enhancing it. “AI helps us maintain quality while moving faster,” she said.

The AI-First Strategy

This expansion is part of a larger shift in Duolingo’s approach. Last year, co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn declared the company would go “AI-first,” a strategy that includes phasing out some contractor roles in favor of AI-driven solutions. While this decision sparked debate, the company assures that full-time employees won’t be affected. Instead, AI proficiency will now factor into hiring and performance reviews, signaling a new era for the company’s workforce.

Sam Dalsimer, Duolingo’s spokesperson, reinforced the vision: “Our goal has always been to teach as well as a human tutor. Because of AI, that’s finally within reach.” To ensure accuracy, every AI-generated course is rigorously tested against the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the gold standard for language education.

Controversy and Confidence

Not everyone is convinced. Critics question whether AI can truly replicate the nuance of human teaching, especially after Duolingo’s earlier decision to replace some contractors with AI. However, the company remains confident, arguing that AI, when guided by experts, can deliver high-quality, scalable education.

Why This Matters for Learners

For users, the benefits are undeniable: more languages, faster updates, and a personalized learning experience. Imagine a Spanish speaker in Mexico learning Japanese directly in Spanish, or a French student mastering Mandarin without relying on English. This is the power of Duolingo’s AI-driven approach—removing obstacles in global education.

As AI continues to transform how we learn, one thing is clear: Duolingo is all-in on this technology. Whether you’re a casual learner or a language enthusiast, these changes promise to make fluency more attainable than ever.

What do you think? Is AI the future of language learning, or does nothing replace the human touch? Share your thoughts in the comments!