My next adventure: Duolingo!
Last week, I started a new role at Duolingo as Group Content Program Manager. I will be working with a group of program managers, learning scientists, linguists, technologists, strategists and all around impressive group of Duos on scaling Duolingo’s content to serve hundreds of millions of learners. I’m grateful to join this warm, welcoming, very smart group of folks who are committed to Duolingo’s mission: to develop the best education in the world and make it universally accessible. And the timing couldn't be more urgent, given the widespread operationalization of AI technology.
As Noah Smith noted in a recent newsletter on the topic, AI is poised to generate instability, require much adjustment and magnify differences in comparative advantage in our economy. Unlike recent tech innovations, this innovation feels truly exceptional in it’s possible level of disruption and impact. As I get to know more about Duolingo’s strategic use of AI, my excitement is growing about working on these questions here, with these colleagues, for content creators and learners around the world.
Reflecting on the past decade, I have followed my instinct to join mission-focused, innovative, organizations to make progress in sectors like electoral politics, small business e-commerce, journalism and healthcare. Joining Duolingo feels like coming full circle. Pittsburgh has been our home for almost two years and joining Duolingo has already been a wonderful way to meet and work with Pittsburghers. And as an immigrant and lifelong language learner, supporting language learners around the world has brought me back closer to home, too.
Hindi, English, Punjabi, French, Arabic and Spanish have played important roles in my life since childhood. Duolingo’s mission strikes a chord with me on a personal level. Language acquisition, as the founders of Duolingo understand firsthand, holds immense potential to mitigate inequality. And the company's expansion into new subjects such as math and music signals just the beginning of its impact.
I also have my life partner, Elise Hawthorne, to thank for showing me the power of education technology and for keeping education and student service front and center in our lives.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue working on an innovative, urgent, personally compelling mission. To do it with fun, supportive, and smart colleagues. And (almost to the day) after 4 years of building teams and companies remotely from my house, to get back to doing this work in person. Yeehaw, let’s go!
