$5.3 Million Raised by Cheat AI Startup for Exam and Interview Assistance

Discover how Cluely`s cheat AI startup offers discreet answers through a hidden in-browser window, ensuring privacy and confidentiality for users.

Funding news: Cheat AI startup secures $5.3M investment Caption:Funding announcement for AI startup aiding exams and interviews.

The Highlights:

Controversial AI Tool Secures Major Funding: Cluely, an AI startup founded by Chungin “Roy” Lee, has raised $5.3 million in seed funding from investors including Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures. The tool offers real-time, hidden assistance during exams, interviews, and sales calls through a concealed browser window, aiming to remain undetected by others.
Origins in Academic Controversy: The inception of Cluely traces back to Lee’s earlier project, Interview Coder, which provided covert help during coding interviews. This led to his suspension from Columbia University and blacklisting by companies like Amazon. Undeterred, Lee expanded the concept into Cluely, promoting it as a tool to “cheat on everything.”
Ethical Debates and Comparisons: Cluely’s approach has sparked ethical debates, with critics arguing it promotes dishonest behavior. The company defends its position by comparing its tool to calculators and spellcheckers—technologies once considered cheating but now widely accepted.
Mixed Reception and Performance Issues: Despite its bold claims, Cluely has faced criticism for underwhelming performance, including delayed responses and technical glitches. While it has generated $3 million in annual revenue, questions remain about its reliability and the broader implications of AI-assisted “cheating.”

$5.3 Million Raised by Cheat AI Startup to Revolutionize Exam and Interview Assistance

A controversial AI startup that offers covert assistance during exams and job interviews has raised $5.3 million in seed funding. Cluely, founded by Chungin “Roy” Lee, delivers real-time support via a hidden browser window that remains undetected during use. The tool has been designed to offer users silent help during high-stakes scenarios such as tests, interviews, and sales presentations.

The startup’s concept originates from an earlier project called Interview Coder, which Lee launched while he was a student at Columbia University. That initiative, aimed at helping users cheat in coding interviews, led to his suspension and his blacklisting by several major companies, including Amazon. Undeterred, Lee expanded on the idea and launched Cluely, now promoted with the tagline “cheat on everything.”

Despite ethical concerns, Cluely attracted strong investor interest. The funding round was led by Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures, along with other backers who believe in the potential of AI tools for real-time user support. More details on the investment and the company’s plans can be found in a report by India Today.

The platform has drawn sharp criticism for encouraging dishonesty in academic and professional environments. Critics argue that Cluely undermines integrity by allowing users to bypass evaluation systems. The company defends its position by comparing its AI to widely accepted tools such as calculators and spellcheckers—once considered cheating, but now standard. This ongoing debate is explored further in an NDTV feature.

Cluely has reportedly generated $3 million in annual revenue but has faced user complaints regarding delayed responses and system performance under pressure. A critical analysis by The Verge highlights technical flaws and raises concerns about the broader implications of AI-assisted cheating.

As the debate around AI ethics intensifies, Cluely’s emergence underscores the complexities of integrating artificial intelligence into areas where fairness and merit are paramount.