Cluely, the new AI tool is taking the tech world by storm. Founded by two college dropouts who turned a university suspension into a multi-million dollar startup.
Cluely lets you “cheat on everything” with an undetectable AI assistant that works during Zoom calls or any Video Calling platforms.
What is Cluely AI?
Cluely is out. cheat on everything. pic.twitter.com/EsRXQaCfUI
— Roy (@im_roy_lee) April 20, 2025
Cluely is AI assistant that operates invisibly during your video calls and online meetings.
While you’re chatting on Zoom, Cluely works silently in the background, feeding you information, suggestions, and answers that the person on the other end can’t detect.
Developed by former Columbia University students Chungin “Roy” Lee and Neel Shanmugam, this AI tool creates a hidden browser window that only you can see.
Features of Cluely AI
Cluely’s popularity comes from its impressive feature set:
- Completely invisible operation during video calls and screen sharing.
- Undetectable by screen monitoring or keylogging software.
- Quick access through global keyboard shortcuts.
- Support for all major programming languages (perfect for coding interviews).
- Seamless integration with Zoom and other popular meeting platforms.
- Real-time AI suggestions that appear only on your screen.
- Custom settings to match your specific needs and preferences.
The tool is particularly popular among software developers facing technical interviews, sales professionals preparing for tough client questions, and students navigating online exams.
Cluely AI recent $5.3 Million Funding
Cluely has been making headlines since its founders announced raising an impressive $5.3 million in seed funding from Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures.
Even more remarkable, the company claims to have already reached $3 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) shortly after launch – proving there’s significant demand for this controversial tool.
The startup’s origin story is equally captivating: founder Roy Lee was suspended from Columbia University after creating an early version called “Interview Coder” to help with software engineering job interviews. Lee claims he even landed an Amazon internship using his own tool, though Amazon has declined to comment specifically on his case.
To justify their controversial product, Cluely’s team published a manifesto comparing their AI assistant to calculators and spellcheck – tools once considered “cheating” that are now standard in everyday life.
How to Download and use Cluely AI with Zoom
Getting started with Cluely is straightforward:
- Visit cluely.com and create an account.
- Download the application for your device.
- Launch and sign in to your account.
- In settings, customize Cluely for your specific needs and preferred languages.
- When using Zoom, enable “Advanced capture with window filtering” in Zoom’s video settings.
- Use Cluely’s keyboard shortcuts during your calls to activate assistance.
- For best performance, limit your screen share frames-per-second in Zoom settings.
The setup process takes just minutes, and the company offers 24/7 customer support through help@cluely.com if you encounter any issues.
Pricing
Cluely offers two main pricing options:
Free Plan:
- Limited access to AI models
- Partial responses only
- Basic functionality
Premium Plan: $20/month
- Full access to advanced AI models
- Complete responses and suggestions
- Priority customer support
- Unlimited usage across all supported platforms
- Regular feature updates
For power users, the $20 monthly investment could potentially pay off during just one successful job interview or important sales call.
Limitations
Despite its impressive capabilities, Cluely isn’t perfect:
- Even the paid version can occasionally provide incorrect information (as shown in their own date promo video).
- Using such tools may violate terms of service for job interviews or exams.
- Discovery could lead to serious consequences, including job termination or academic expulsion.
- Ethical questions remain about misrepresenting your own knowledge and abilities.
Final thoughts
Love it or hate it, Cluely is changing the game. This $20 AI assistant promises to be your invisible partner during interviews, sales calls, and Zoom meetings—potentially turning awkward silences into brilliant responses.
While it raises serious questions about honesty and fairness, its million-dollar funding and growing user base suggest we’re entering a new era where the smartest person in the room might actually be an AI no one can see.
The real question isn’t whether tools like Cluely will succeed, but whether we’re ready for a world where we never know if we’re talking to a person or their AI shadow.