In an era where AI can write essays, pass exams, and ace job interviews, one bold startup is asking a provocative question: What does cheating in the age of AI mean?
That’s the question at the center of controversy surrounding Cluely, a newly launched AI startup founded by Roy Lee and Neel Shanmugam. The duo recently raised $5.3 million in seed funding to scale a tool they openly describe as helping people “cheat on everything.”
And yes, they mean everything—from technical interviews to complex coding challenges.
From Suspension to Startup Fame
Roy Lee, a Columbia University student, first made headlines when he was suspended by the university for developing a tool that assisted users during engineering job interviews. The school accused him of facilitating cheating, a charge Lee doesn’t shy away from—but he’s also not backing down.
Instead of retreating, Lee turned the fallout into a viral moment, posting a detailed thread on X (formerly Twitter) chronicling the suspension and how it led to Cluely’s creation. His defense? Everyone’s using AI tools now, so where do we draw the line between help and cheating?
“We don’t think of Grammarly or ChatGPT as cheating anymore. So why should Cluely be any different?” Lee argued in a recent post.
What Exactly Does Cluely Do?
Cluely’s core pitch is audacious: give users a virtual AI whisperer in real-time scenarios, like coding interviews, technical screens, or homework assignments. Unlike passive AI tools, Cluely works live, feeding contextual suggestions and answers on the fly.
It’s a controversial idea—but one that clearly has investors intrigued. The $5.3 million seed round came from some major backers, and the platform is now scaling quickly among college students, bootcamp grads, and even professionals looking to break into top-tier tech jobs.
The Ethics of AI-Powered “Cheating”
So is using a tool like Cluely cheating—or is it just the natural next step in a world powered by AI?
The debate is heating up across academia and industry. On one side, critics argue that AI assistance undermines merit, especially in high-stakes environments like job interviews. On the other hand, supporters claim that knowing how to use AI is a skill in itself—and one companies should embrace, not penalize.
Even tech companies are divided. Some quietly tolerate AI-assisted interviewees, especially in remote settings, while others ramp up monitoring tools to detect outside help.
But one thing is certain: the very definition of cheating in the age of AI is now in flux.
A Glimpse Into the Future
As AI tools become more integrated into daily workflows, the line between assistance and dishonesty continues to blur. Just like calculators in the classroom once caused a stir, tools like Cluely may soon become normalized—or they may force institutions to rethink how they evaluate talent altogether.
For now, Cluely is riding the wave of disruption, challenging norms, and asking the tough questions that many are afraid to confront.
Because in 2025, cheating might not be about right or wrong—it might just be about how well you prompt.
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