Chungin Lee: Do you know why this 21-year-old Silicon Valley CEO was suspended by Columbia University?
Today, he is the co-founder and CEO of Cluely, a Silicon Valley startup that has raised $20.3 million in funding and sits at the centre of the ongoing debate around AI-enabled productivity and ethical boundaries.
Cluely is a stealth-mode AI assistant that offers real-time, undetectable support across virtual environments including interviews, exams, meetings and more. The question it raises is critical: is this real innovation or engineered dishonesty?
The product that started it all
In early 2024, while still at Columbia, Lee launched Interview Coder, an AI tool designed to support candidates in real-time coding interviews.
It read screen activity, picked up audio, and offered suggestions, all discreetly. The aim, according to Lee, was to help users navigate high-pressure interview formats that had failed to evolve in the age of generative AI.
The product gained traction quickly, with over 10,000 users and nearly $47,000 in revenue within months. Lee even used his own tool to crack interviews at tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and TikTok, until he publicly demonstrated its use, prompting companies to rescind offers and Columbia to investigate.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
You Might Want To Buy Baking Soda In Bulk After Reading This
Lintmit.com
Read More
Undo
From academic setback to entrepreneurial pivot
In April 2024, Columbia suspended Lee for a year for violating its Academic Integrity Policy. The disciplinary action might have ended another student's ambitions, but for Lee, it marked a turning point. He moved to San Francisco, teamed up with fellow student Neel Shanmugam, and rebranded his tool as Cluely.
Unlike its predecessor, Cluely was designed for broader use. It now supports not just job interviews but exams, meetings, sales pitches, and more, offering real-time, undetectable AI assistance across virtual interactions.
The pivot marked Lee's formal transition from a student innovator to a full-time founder operating in one of tech's most scrutinised ethical grey zones.
Investors back the vision
By April 2025, Cluely had raised $5.3 million in seed funding. Just two months later, Andreessen Horowitz led a $15 million Series A round, signalling high-profile validation of Lee's vision. For Lee, the funding rounds were not just financial milestones; they were affirmations of an idea that many still found difficult to digest.
Lee has remained unapologetic about his approach. 'Everyone uses AI now,' he told the Associated Press. 'It doesn't make sense to have systems that test people as if they don't.' For him, Cluely is less about cheating and more about bridging the gap between outdated evaluations and real-world workflows.
The career dilemma Lee now embodies
Lee's trajectory raises fundamental questions about the future of work and qualification. As AI becomes inseparable from daily productivity, where do we draw the line between assistance and unfair advantage? Employers, including tech giants like Google, are reportedly rethinking their hiring practices.
Education systems are scrambling to revisit honour codes that now seem out of sync with how students learn and work.
Lee's career graph is marked by sharp pivots: from student to founder, from suspension to seed-stage CEO, from controversy to capital. Each decision has placed him at the intersection of innovation and disruption, and he is leaning into the tension.
Whether Cluely emerges as a new standard for AI-native tools or gets regulated out of mainstream use, Lee's story offers an early case study in what it means to build a career in an era where traditional rules are being rewritten by technology.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us
here
.
Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Taurus Daily Horoscope Today, July 28, 2025: Let your belief light the path
Today is a day to release old doubts and step forward with full belief in yourself. You may feel uncertain in some areas, but deep within, your inner self knows what to do. Let go of past mistakes and stop overthinking about what could go wrong. The universe is reminding you to trust your skills and worth. Every moment you choose confidence over fear, you grow. Be proud of how far you have come. Let today be about moving forward without hesitation. Taurus Love Horoscope Today In love, your confidence makes your connection stronger. If you are in a relationship, share your true feelings without fear of judgment. Your partner will respond well to your honesty. If you are single, show your true self without trying to impress anyone. The right person will be drawn to your authenticity and calm energy. Let go of emotional doubts from past experiences. Trust that love comes when you stop chasing and start receiving. A kind word today may open a soft door. Taurus Career Horoscope Today Career-wise, your calm strength can lead to steady progress. Do not doubt your decisions or wait too long to act. Take initiative in your tasks and speak up where needed. You may get a new opportunity or suggestion that helps your growth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tirunelveli: 1 Trick to Reduce Belly Fat? Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo Keep your focus and do not be distracted by small office politics. Your dedication is being noticed, even in silence. Confidence in your ability is your biggest professional tool today. Lead your day with steady faith, not hesitation. Taurus Money Horoscope Today Money matters become easier when you act with clarity. Avoid thinking too much before taking small but necessary financial steps. If you are planning a big expense, review everything but do not delay out of fear. Make decisions that reflect your long-term goals. Someone close may give you a helpful suggestion about saving or earning. Take it with an open mind. Wealth grows when you manage with belief, not fear. Let your confidence be reflected in your spending and planning today. Taurus Health Horoscope Today Your health may feel stable overall, but hidden tension could affect your digestion or sleep. Practice mindful breathing to release mental pressure. A short walk, time in natural sunlight, or listening to calming sounds can improve your mood. Eat meals on time and do not skip breakfast. Your body wants balance, not extremes. If you have ignored minor symptoms, take care of them now. Good health starts with trust in your body and its signals. Let confidence become your healing energy. Discover everything about astrology at Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces . Read your detailed Horoscope Today and Horoscope Tomorrow here.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Crushed by exhaustion, delivery man breaks down into tears: 'I regret leaving school'
A deeply moving video of a Chinese food delivery worker breaking down during his shift has stirred widespread attention on social media, highlighting the extreme mental and physical strain faced by gig economy workers. Dressed in a yellow delivery uniform and helmet, the man was seen crying uncontrollably as he opened up about the pressures of his daily life. Physically Exhausted, Emotionally Drained In the now-viral clip, the driver speaks about working 10-hour days without any real opportunity for rest. He describes his routine as one that leaves him "exhausted like a dog" and says he cannot afford to slow down even for a moment. Any lapse in effort, he explains, directly affects his ability to feed himself. The constant anxiety of not meeting daily targets has worn him down, both mentally and physically. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing PGDM Design Thinking Data Analytics Technology Operations Management Leadership CXO Data Science Product Management Healthcare Others others Degree Artificial Intelligence healthcare Finance MCA Public Policy Project Management Management Cybersecurity Data Science MBA Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details The man shares that he often feels overwhelmed by the burdens of his job and regrets the decisions that led him to this point. He says he dropped out of school at a young age, despite warnings from teachers, and now feels that his life would have been different if he had chosen to continue his education. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Algeria: Jewelry On Sale For Half Price (See Price List) Jewelry | Search Ads Learn More Undo Regret Over Past Choices Speaking through tears, the delivery worker says he wishes he had studied harder instead of leaving school early. He acknowledges that his decision was driven by stubbornness, and it is a choice he now deeply regrets. The emotional toll of not being able to support his parents or live a life of his choosing weighs heavily on him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CHINA IN A MINUTE (@chinaminutes) He adds that the combination of relentless work hours and unending stress has left him without hope or someone to confide in. The video captures a moment of deep vulnerability as he admits to feeling like a failure in the eyes of his family and himself. Public Response and Broader Concerns The video resonated with thousands of viewers, many of whom expressed their sympathy and concern for the driver. Comments poured in acknowledging the broader issue of burnout and insecurity in gig-based jobs. Some users emphasized the need for societal support systems that allow people second chances, such as opportunities to resume education later in life. Others reminded him that even degree-holders today face similar struggles in an increasingly difficult job market. The situation brings to light the growing concerns over labor conditions in the gig economy. Last year, a similar tragedy occurred when another Chinese delivery worker reportedly died while napping on his bike after an 18-hour shift. According to friends, he was the sole breadwinner of his family and sometimes slept for only three hours before starting work again.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
CPM accuses Union govt of neglecting working class, favouring corporates
Mysuru: CPM state executive secretary U Basavaraj on Sunday accused the Union govt of adopting pro-corporate friendly policies, neglecting the interests of farmers, labourers, and other working-class people in the nation. The Union govt is giving a red carpet welcome to corporate houses, while the common people were affected by inflation and the rise in prices of essential commodities, he stated. He was addressing a rally organised by the district unit of CPM at Gandhi Square in the city. He said that even though the Union govt mobilised over Rs 50 lakh crore revenue every year from the states, with Karnataka contributing Rs 4 lakh crore in the form of tax, the Union govt has failed to protect the interest of the working class to curb inflation. He accused the Union govt of giving a red carpet welcome to corporate houses to loot the forest and mining resources of the nation when the common people were affected by inflation. Basavaraj also stated that even though the Union govt is distributing free ration to the poor under the public distribution system to over 80 crore people, people are dying from hunger. India ranked 105th in the Global Hunger Index, he stated, adding that still 45%t of the population are unemployed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pune: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo The income gap between the rich and poor has increased at an alarming rate every year. If 10% of the population owns 80% of the resources, while 90% of the population owns only 10% of the property, he said. State executive committee member HS Sunand asked the Union govt to eliminate cross-border terrorism and applauded soldiers for safeguarding the nation. Poor people were affected by inflation. Instead of resolving such genuine issues, the govt is raking up emotive issues to cover their failures, she stated. District CPM secretary Jagadeesh Soorya urged the govt to strengthen govt-run institutions, schools, and public sector banks, besides initiating measures to prevent farmer suicides, and to open govt-run engineering, law colleges, and Mohalla clinics.
