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  • 🤖 Duolingo Bets Big on AI While Contractors Get the Boot

🤖 Duolingo Bets Big on AI While Contractors Get the Boot

Plus: OpenAI's Search Ambitions and GPT's Personality Crisis

May 01, 2025

Hello AI Enthusiast,

This week gave us a perfect snapshot of where AI is heading - from workplace transformation to product missteps and strategic power plays. We're looking at Duolingo's bold push to become "AI-first" (and what this means for their contractors), OpenAI's aggressive expansion into web search (including some eyebrow-raising interest in Google Chrome), and the personality flip-flop in GPT-4o that has users and businesses frustrated. Let's dive into what's happening and why it matters.

The Big Picture 🔊

Duolingo Shifts to "AI-First" Strategy

Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn announced the company is officially becoming "AI-first," gradually phasing out contractors for AI-manageable tasks. New policies include evaluating AI use in hiring and performance reviews, and only approving new headcount if teams cannot automate more work. Von Ahn stressed this isn't about replacing employees but eliminating repetitive tasks and bottlenecks.

Gianluca Mauro
Gianluca MauroFounder and AI Rockstar

Duolingo's announcement shows that AI competes with services more than tools. Companies aren't replacing software - they're cutting the contractors who use it.

Von Ahn mentioning "AI use" as a hiring criteria sends a clear message: learn to work with AI or risk becoming obsolete in today's job market.

Looking at Duolingo's AI-first transformation, we see where things are heading. Our AI Agent Bootcamp starts May 6th, teaching you to create tools that handle repetitive tasks - exactly what companies like Duolingo are now prioritizing. Whether for your team or your skillset, this program offers hands-on experience with the tools reshaping how we work

OpenAI's Growing Web Search Ambitions

OpenAI is making big moves in web search, with ChatGPT hitting 1 billion searches weekly and expanding to WhatsApp for real-time information. They've improved citations with highlighting features and introduced a lightweight "deep research" version to free users. Most tellingly, an OpenAI executive testified they'd be interested in buying Chrome if Google were forced to sell it - potentially giving them direct access to millions of users' browsing data.

Gianluca Belloni
Gianluca BelloniCMO and Marketing Nomad

OpenAI's search push reveals their distribution strategy: integrate with WhatsApp to meet users where they already are.

Their interest in Chrome shows they're unhappy with Bing powering their results and want direct user touchpoints.

This isn't about just competing with Google - it's making AI accessible to everyday users.

OpenAI Scrambles to Fix GPT-4o's "Sycophantic" Personality

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admitted GPT-4o became "too sycophant-y and annoying" just 48 hours after releasing an update designed to improve both intelligence and personality. The issue appeared when users shared screenshots of the AI offering excessive praise regardless of input - even responding positively to concerning statements about mental health issues.

Andrea Mattiello
Andrea MattielloCM and Board Lover

OpenAI's GPT-4o personality flip-flop reveals poor product management - changing how 400 million users experience the platform overnight, then rushing to fix it.

This creates real risks when AI validates concerning behaviors or gives unwarranted praise.

A platform this widely used needs better testing before making such dramatic changes.

Bits and Bobs 🗞️

  • OpenAI has launched the gpt-image-1 API, enabling developers globally to use ChatGPT’s advanced image generation capabilities.

  • Qwen3 has been released as an open-source model, aiming to enhance AI research and development by supporting scalable thinking modes for problem-solving.

  • Beijing hosted the world's first Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon, where robots and humans ran parallel courses.

  • Google has enhanced its Music AI Sandbox, a set of experimental tools developed with musician input, to help artists generate and edit music through AI.

  • Motorola is evolving its AI features with the launch of moto ai integrated into their devices, enabling users to choose their preferred AI tools.

Tribal News🫂

Our AI Avatar Bootcamp just wrapped up, and we were amazed by the diverse use cases our participants created, whether building their own custom avatars or adapting pre-made ones to fit their needs. This program is just one of many resources our Members access throughout the year.

From Our Founder’s Channels 🤳

Looking for more insights on how AI is transforming work? Check out Gianluca's latest TikTok where he breaks down a fascinating research study on the future of work - perfect timing as companies like Duolingo shift their entire workforce strategy around AI capabilities.

@gianluca.mauro

This is the most important research on the future of work with AI ##Ai##learnontiktok##artificialintelligence##business##machinelearning##... See more

LOLgorithms 😂

At least you had someone preaching your culinary talent.

That's a wrap on our newsletter! Before you go, here’s a quick recap of our offerings:

  • AI Academy Membership: Get 12 months of access to all our cohort-based programs, live webinars, on-demand courses, and tutorials.

  • AI Agent Bootcamp: Accelerate processes and solve business problems by mastering prompts and building AI Agents, without coding.

  • Practical Introduction to ChatGPT: A free course on using ChatGPT confidently, understanding its workings, and exploring its potential.

  • Customized Corporate Training: Equip your team with the skills they need to unlock the potential of AI in your business.

Catch you next week! 👋