23-04-2025
Man suspended for 'cheating' builds AI firm to do it better, gets Rs 44.3 crore fund
A Columbia University student who faced suspension for building an AI tool to cheat tech interviews has now raised millions to expand the idea into something even bigger and bolder. Chungin Lee, a 21-year-old computer science student, who made headlines for creating an AI-based tool that quietly helped users ace LeetCode-style questions in real-time during coding interviews, said he has secured funding of $5.3 million (Rs 44.3 crore approximately). advertisementHis AI tool, Interview Coder, was designed to help students while running invisibly during live assessments for companies like Amazon, Meta, and TikTok.
Unsurprisingly, the stunt didn't go well with the industry. Lee was suspended by Columbia, blacklisted by Amazon, and branded a 'cheater' online. But instead of backing down, he doubled up. He turned the backlash into momentum. Lee launched Cluely, an AI startup that offers users silent, in-browser support for everything from exams to sales calls to job interviews. Think of it as a whispering AI that never gets caught, at least that's the pitch. Lee had a message for those who called it unethical as he announced securing $5.3 million in pre-seed funding. In a post on X, Lee said, "$5 million to change the definition of the word 'cheating'."advertisementHe reposted a post by X handle of his firm, which reads, "They called calculators cheating. They called Google cheating. The world will say the same about AI. We're not stopping. Just raised a $5.3M pre-seed to build the future - faster." Lee had earlier said that he was kicked out of Columbia and blacklisted by Amazon four weeks after he launched Interview Coder. He was told by those around him to quit his plan to expand his AI tool. Lee narrated the entire incident in a series of posts on X. I just got kicked out of Columbia for taking a stand against Leetcode the whole story (long thread): Roy (@im_roy_lee) March 27, 2025While several users call it cheating, Chungin Lee calls it changing the rules. And with millions now backing his idea, he's made it clear that he's not here to play by the old rules. Trending Reel
