They’ve created an AI to lie in job interviews. Yes, you read that right

In the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence, a controversial new tool is making headlines. Cluely, a voice-activated AI assistant, claims to help users cheat their way through life—from job interviews to romantic dates. Created by 21-year-old Roy Lee, the app has sparked intense debate over the ethics and legality of AI in real-time social interactions.

An invisible whisperer for real-life situations

Cluely markets itself as a hands-free AI coach that listens to your conversations and offers real-time suggestions through a discreet earpiece. Imagine a ChatGPT that watches and listens with you—then helps you lie your way into a job or charm a date. That’s exactly what its promotional video shows: Lee using the AI to invent stories and manipulate a conversation, even pretending to be older to impress a woman.

The promise, the contradiction, and the risk

Despite the app’s bold messaging—“cheat at everything” is part of its tagline—its own legal terms prohibit use during exams, interviews, or without consent in recorded conversations. This contradiction hasn’t stopped Lee from embracing a “move fast and break things” mentality, proudly advertising how Cluely helps users deceive others for personal gain. Yet, ironically, if you follow their marketing advice, you might break a law—or at least, a few social norms.

The future of AI: useful or dangerous?

Lee envisions Cluely as smart glasses or even a brain implant in the future. But even as a desktop app, it raises serious questions about AI’s role in human communication. Is it a helpful assistant, or a dangerous tool that encourages deception?