The famous language learning tool commonly referred to as the 'Emotional Blackmail Bird' may face replacement by ChatGPT. Duolingo recently announced its transition to an AI-first company, ceasing the hiring of outsourced labor that can be replaced by AI while incorporating AI skills into its recruitment criteria.

According to the latest statistics from Anthropic, many startups and large enterprises are actively utilizing AI. The cute mascot of Duolingo, endearingly nicknamed 'Emotional Blackmail Bird' by users for its motivational nudges, may also be at risk of obsolescence. Duolingo's CEO, Luis von Ahn, emphasized that AI's impact on work is already unfolding, necessitating immediate adaptation to AI technologies to boost productivity.

In a memo, Duolingo outlined several guiding principles for its transformation, including gradually stopping the hiring of outsourced personnel that can be replaced by AI and incorporating AI capabilities into hiring and performance evaluations. Although it’s not possible to overhaul everything overnight, Luis von Ahn advocates for quick action to avoid missing opportunities. He clarified that the goal of Duolingo's transformation is not to replace existing employees, but rather to eliminate tedious and inefficient processes, allowing team members to focus on higher-value and creative work.