A Columbia University student, Chungin Roy Lee, has made headlines with his AI-powered cheating tool, now part of Cluely, a San Francisco-based startup. The tool, originally called Interview Coder, uses a hidden browser window to reveal answers in real-time.
Cluely’s tool has raised $5.3 million in seed funding from investors like Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures. Lee, 21, and fellow Columbia student Neil Shanmugam, also 21, co-founded the startup after facing disciplinary action from their university. Both have since left Columbia.
The AI assistant can help users cheat in various situations, from coding tests to job interviews. Lee claims it generated $3 million in annual recurring revenue. Cluely’s promotional video showcased the tool’s capabilities, sparking mixed reactions online.
Controversy and Criticism
Some have compared Cluely to past inventions like calculators and spell-checkers, which were initially viewed as cheating aids. Lee told TechCrunch that his tool is designed to level the playing field.
However, critics have raised concerns about the ethics of using AI to cheat. Amazon, for instance, requires job applicants to agree not to use unauthorized tools during interviews. Lee used Cluely to land an Amazon internship.
A Broader Debate
Cluely is not the only AI startup to face controversy. Other companies have also been criticized for their AI tools. The rise of AI-powered cheating tools has sparked a debate about the future of work and learning.
- Cluely’s funding: $5.3 million
- Annual recurring revenue: $3 million
- Co-founders: Chungin Roy Lee and Neil Shanmugam