In the wild world of tech innovation, sometimes the line between genius and ethical chaos gets blurry. Enter Cluely, a San Francisco AI startup that’s causing major waves in academic and professional circles.

Founded by Roy Lee, a 21-year-old Columbia University dropout, Cluely started as a controversial tool marketed to help users “cheat on everything” - a tagline that quickly grabbed attention and sparked intense debate. The app functions as an “invisible desktop assistant” that can listen through microphones, transcribe speech, identify speakers, and provide real-time summaries.

While initially promoting provocative use cases like cheating on exams and faking interviews, Cluely has since rebranded itself as a productivity tool. The startup has already secured $15 million in Series A funding from Andreessen Horowitz, signaling significant investor confidence despite the ethical concerns.

In a twist of entrepreneurial irony, another Columbia student, Patrick Shen, responded by creating Truely - an app designed to detect AI-assisted cheating during virtual meetings. Shen’s app works across platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, directly challenging Cluely’s core functionality.

Lee remains unphased by the criticism, stating that most enterprise users disable the app’s “invisibility” feature due to legal risks. He claims the company is already profitable, with a small team working intensely to drive growth.

The startup’s journey raises critical questions about technological ethics, academic integrity, and the rapidly evolving landscape of AI tools. While Cluely positions itself as a productivity enhancement, the potential for misuse remains a significant concern.

As AI continues to blur traditional boundaries, startups like Cluely represent both the incredible potential and potential pitfalls of technological innovation. Whether this becomes a cautionary tale or a breakthrough productivity tool remains to be seen.