靠 AI起飞的千亿市值公司，如今要被AI“卷死”了？股价因GPT-5瞬间逆转、CEO亲承：我负有责任

Core Viewpoint - Duolingo's stock price has experienced significant volatility, dropping 38% from its peak of $529.05 per share in May 2023, primarily due to backlash against its "AI-first" strategy and the recent demonstration of OpenAI's GPT-5 capabilities, which can create language learning tools from brief prompts [2][8]. Group 1: Company Strategy and Performance - Duolingo, founded in 2011, currently has a market capitalization of approximately $15 billion (about 107.6 billion RMB) [3]. - The company announced a transition to an "AI-first" model, aiming to reduce reliance on contractors and automate processes, which led to the introduction of 148 new language courses, doubling its previous offerings [3]. - Despite public criticism regarding its AI strategy, Duolingo reported a 40% year-over-year increase in daily active users, reaching 47.7 million, and a 24% increase in monthly active users to 128.3 million, with paid subscribers growing by 37% [3][4]. Group 2: Market Reaction and Financial Impact - Following the announcement of its AI strategy, Duolingo faced backlash on social media, but its financial performance remained strong, with quarterly revenue exceeding expectations, leading to a nearly 30% increase in stock price after the announcement [4][6]. - The introduction of GPT-5 by OpenAI, which demonstrated the ability to create language learning applications, has raised concerns about competition and market positioning for Duolingo, highlighting the risks associated with rapid technological advancements [8][9]. Group 3: Leadership and Future Outlook - CEO Luis von Ahn acknowledged the public confusion surrounding the AI transition and emphasized that the company has not laid off any full-time employees, maintaining hiring levels consistent with previous years [12][13]. - The company is actively engaging its teams in exploring efficient AI usage through weekly activities, indicating a commitment to integrating AI while preserving human roles [12]. - Duolingo's user base continues to grow, with 130 million monthly active users as of June, reflecting a robust demand for its services despite the challenges posed by emerging AI technologies [13].