Cluely is an artificial intelligence company based in San Francisco. The company has developed a desktop application that provides real-time assistance to users during interactive contexts such as virtual meetings, job interviews, and sales calls. The platform analyzes screen and audio data to deliver contextual responses through a covert browser interface. Cluely was founded by Chungin “Roy” Lee and Neel Shanmugam. Due to its concealed nature and intended use, the application has sparked significant ethical and legal controversies.
Founding and Development
Cluely originated from “Interview Coder,” a project Roy Lee developed at Columbia University. This tool was designed to assist users during online technical interviews, but was deemed a cheating tool by the university, leading to Lee’s expulsion. Following this experience, Lee partnered with Neel Shanmugam to build Cluely, aiming to reach a broader user base. The company raised $5.3 million in a seed funding round.
Technical Features and Operation
Cluely is a desktop application that analyzes screen content and real-time voice communication. It provides suggestions via a hidden browser window, invisible to other meeting participants. The application transcribes conversations and generates contextual responses that are discreetly displayed to the user. These features are designed to give users an advantage during online exams, technical interviews, and sales meetings.
Manifesto and Communication Strategy
Cluely’s original manifesto promoted the idea that users should be allowed to “cheat on everything.” The company attempted to legitimize this stance by comparing it to the early reception of calculators, spell checkers, and search engines. However, after public backlash and ethical criticisms, Cluely removed references to exams and hiring processes from its website and shifted its focus exclusively to professional meetings and sales environments.
Criticism and Countermeasures
Cluely’s operating method has been widely criticized as unethical. Software companies like Validia (developer of "Truely") and Proctaroo from Rhode Island claim to be able to detect tools like Cluely that run in the background. Since Cluely records screen and audio data, it may violate privacy laws in several jurisdictions, potentially resulting in legal consequences.
Hardware Initiatives and Future Plans
Roy Lee has expressed a vision that goes beyond software. Cluely is reportedly working on hardware solutions such as AI-powered glasses, transparent screen overlays, audio-recording necklaces, and even long-term projects like brain-embedded chips. While technically feasible, these initiatives are considered difficult to implement in the short term due to regulatory and ethical constraints.
Public Reaction and Ethical Debates
The proliferation of Cluely is seen as potentially triggering a crisis of trust in areas like remote work, online education, and digital recruitment. The application is viewed not only as a technological innovation but also as a tool that simulates or conceals human performance, thus allegedly promoting unethical behavior. Its capabilities are perceived as conflicting with professional integrity, drawing strong reactions from both industry insiders and academic circles.
Cluely has become a focal point in the debate over how AI should be used in professional environments, what advantages it offers, and which boundaries must not be crossed. The functionality of the technology is scrutinized not only in terms of performance but also through the lens of ethical legitimacy. Cluely’s evolution is now part of a broader inquiry into how AI-assisted decision-making is received and accepted within society.
