Cluely is a startup that has landed on quite the potential rocket ship with the AI-powered cheating app. Its claims of an “undetectable” hidden in-browser window has caused quite a stir, as it enables users to cheat on tasks such as job interviews and exams. Chungin “Roy” Lee, the founder of Cluely, recently raised 5.3 million dollars. Now, the company is reportedly preparing to venture into creative new hardware products such as smart glasses or brain chips that might circumvent anti-cheating software.
The app went viral largely for its brassy claim that it can be used to “cheat on anything.” Then, when the company sunk to advocating for some deplorable practices, it received heavy criticism. In response to Cluely’s business model, Adrian Aamodt accused him of being “unethical” in his business plan. After the public outcry against the scare tactics, Cluely went back to the drawing board and changed its message drastically. The company has removed references to cheating on exams and job interviews from its website, now focusing on uses like deceptive sales calls and meetings.
Opposition to Cluely’s tech is growing. In response, more than a dozen competing startups are rolling out smart, attractive solutions, all specifically designed to counter TNC’s pernicious influence. Validia claims its software triggers an alarm if it detects someone using Cluely, while Rhode Island-based Proctaroo asserts that its platform can identify Cluely users.
Given all of these changes, in a recent piece, Lee has sounded doubting notes about the promise of any anti-cheating tool. He likened their work to the unsuccessful efforts to regulate cheating in the video game industry. He proposed that Cluely’s entry into hardware could potentially obsolete existing anti-cheating measures.
“Ultimately, we see a future where everyone uses AI to its utmost potential, and that means planting in large, specific markets, and expanding out from there.” – Chungin “Roy” Lee
Lee admitted that the shift toward hardware development isn’t particularly difficult. He mentioned, “Whether it’s smart glasses, a transparent glass screen overlay, a recording necklace, or even a brain chip, we’re not sure,” indicating a range of possibilities for Cluely’s future products.
Cluely is changing its focus away from these controversial applications. This decision is a positive step towards enabling the company to lead the market while proactively addressing potential ethical concerns. Lee’s vision for the company indicates a wider ambition to reshape how AI can impact everyday tasks and interactions.