Duolingo’s battle for learning in an AI world, with Luis von Ahn

In this episode of Masters of Scale, host Bob Safian sits down with Luis von Ahn, CEO and co-founder of Duolingo, to explore the company's strategic pivot in 2026 toward user growth over revenue, despite its billion-dollar annual revenue and 90% non-paying user base. Von Ahn reflects on the fallout from his controversial 2025 internal AI memo, which sparked public backlash over fears of job displacement, and shares how he learned to balance AI integration with human values—emphasizing that AI should serve learners, not just cut costs. He discusses the limits of AI in creative domains like design and storytelling, where quality and consistency remain challenges. The conversation also delves into Duolingo’s expansion beyond language learning into math, music, and chess, driven by a mission to make meaningful learning accessible to billions. Von Ahn argues that fun and motivation are essential to sustained learning, and that while AI may automate some tasks, the human drive to learn and grow remains irreplaceable. He remains optimistic that a future where people actively learn and better themselves is possible, even in an AI-driven world.