On 27 June 2025, Roy Lee, the CEO of San Francisco’s AI startup Cluely, caused a stir with a bold tweet: “introducing @cluely. Today is the start of a world where you never have to think again. We just killed 9 industries.” In a nine-part thread, he described a powerful tool, Interview Coder, that can whisper suggestions and answers during job interviews, exams, sales calls, and even meetings, all without showing any visible interface.
Lee’s message highlights how Cluely can “cheat” across nine areas: from meetings and interviews to customer support and post-call summaries, the AI listens, analyses, and delivers help instantly. He framed this not as cheating, but as a breakthrough in productivity, offering what he called “everything you need before you ask.” It’s a dramatic claim, and Lee meant it to be.
Backing this mission is serious money. Cluely has raised a total of $20.3 million in funding, including a $15 million Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz. The firm praised Lee’s rapid, culture-driven approach as a key reason for investing. Despite the controversy, users are already paying. Cluely reportedly earns around $3 million annually.
Reactions have been mixed. Critics warn that this tool could erode authenticity, critical thinking, and trust in hiring and education. There are valid worries about privacy, given its need for constant access to screens and microphones. Some users have even reported that the tool malfunctioned during high‑stakes moments.
Lee seems undeterred; he aims for Cluely to amass a billion views online and plans to grow the marketing team, even hiring interns dedicated to virality. Meanwhile, counter‑AI tools are emerging to detect this kind of stealth assistance. As Cluely pushes the boundaries, society is left to decide: is this revolutionary progress or a troubling shortcut?
