Chungin “Roy” Lee is a young entrepreneur and innovator who has made waves in the tech industry by founding Cluely, an AI-powered startup that challenges traditional boundaries of assistance and performance enhancement. Despite facing controversy and significant challenges early in his career, Lee has emerged as a notable figure shaping how artificial intelligence tools are integrated into everyday professional and personal scenarios.
Key Information
| Personal Information | Details |
| Full Name | Chungin “Roy” Lee |
| Age | Approximately 21 years (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Former student, Columbia University |
| Field of Study | Computer Science / Artificial Intelligence (approximate) |
| Occupation | Founder & CEO of Cluely |
| Industry | Artificial Intelligence / Technology Startup |
| Known For | Founder of Cluely, AI-powered assistance tool |
| Location | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Co-Founder | Neel Shanmugam (COO) |
| Funding Raised | $5.3 million (Seed funding) |
| Annual Revenue (Approx.) | Over $3 million |
| Key Interests | AI development, ethical technology use, entrepreneurship |
| Languages Spoken | English (primary), possibly Korean (inferred from name) |
| Social Media / LinkedIn | LinkedIn Profile |
| Awards / Recognitions | Featured in multiple tech media for innovation and controversy |
| Notable Achievements | Successfully raised funding post suspension; built a viral AI tool |
| Personal Philosophy | AI as a tool for human augmentation, not cheating |
| Public Speaking | Participated in AI and startup industry discussions and panels |
| Hobbies / Interests | Technology, AI ethics, mentoring young entrepreneurs |
| Current Residence | San Francisco Bay Area |
Early Life and Education
Chungin “Roy” Lee grew up in the United States, where he nurtured an early fascination with technology and artificial intelligence. Lee’s academic path led him to Columbia University, a premier Ivy League institution, where he pursued studies related to computer science and AI. It was here that Lee’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished, fueled by a desire to create innovative solutions that push conventional boundaries.
Inspiration Behind Cluely
The idea for Cluely originated from Lee’s personal experiences and observations about the high stakes of job interviews, coding assessments, exams, and other critical real-world challenges. Recognizing that many candidates struggle with pressure and information overload, Lee envisioned an AI-powered tool that could discreetly guide users through difficult moments, improving their chances of success.
This led to the creation of Interview Coder, a prototype designed to provide real-time hints during technical interviews, which later evolved into the broader AI assistant platform, Cluely.
The Controversy: Ethics and Academic Integrity
Cluely’s innovative approach quickly drew scrutiny, especially from academic institutions concerned about the ethical implications of AI-assisted examinations and interviews. Columbia University suspended Lee after a viral video demonstrated the tool’s capabilities, igniting debates about whether such AI tools constituted cheating or legitimate assistance.
Despite the backlash, Lee has maintained that Cluely represents a new era of technology akin to calculators or spellcheckers—tools once criticized but now widely accepted as essential aids.
Business Growth and Funding
After his suspension, Lee made the bold decision to drop out and focus exclusively on Cluely’s development. His gamble paid off: the startup secured $5.3 million in seed funding from notable venture capital firms including Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures. Cluely rapidly gained traction in various sectors, surpassing $3 million in annual recurring revenue and expanding its user base.
How Cluely Works: Features and Applications
Cluely operates through an AI-powered system running in a hidden browser window, providing users with:
- Real-Time Prompts: Offers contextual hints and information during interviews, exams, or sales calls.
- Stealth Mode: Designed to be discreet and undetectable by supervisors or interviewers.
- Versatile Use Cases: Supports candidates across coding interviews, academic tests, professional meetings, and social interactions.
This versatility makes Cluely a powerful tool that blurs traditional lines between preparation and real-time assistance.
Lee’s Philosophy on AI and Human Augmentation
Lee advocates for embracing AI as a natural extension of human capability. He argues that the negative stigma around AI “cheating” overlooks the positive potential of such tools to level the playing field and enhance individual performance. Lee envisions a future where AI acts as a collaborative partner, amplifying human intelligence rather than replacing it.
Leadership Style and Vision
Known for his resilience and forward-thinking leadership, Lee has guided Cluely through both rapid growth and intense public scrutiny. His ability to balance innovation with ethical conversations sets him apart as a leader in the AI startup space.
Lee is committed to:
- Promoting transparency in AI usage.
- Fostering responsible innovation.
- Encouraging open discourse on the evolving role of AI in society.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While Cluely’s potential is significant, Lee faces ongoing challenges, including:
- Navigating regulatory and ethical frameworks.
- Addressing concerns from educational and professional bodies.
- Ensuring the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.
Despite these hurdles, Lee remains optimistic about Cluely’s future and its capacity to redefine assistance in learning, hiring, and communication.
Personal Life and Interests
Though Lee maintains a relatively private personal life, he is known to be deeply passionate about:
- Artificial Intelligence research and ethics.
- Mentoring young entrepreneurs and developers.
- Engaging in discussions on technology’s societal impact.
His journey serves as an inspiration for young innovators aiming to leverage technology for transformative change.
Interesting Facts About Chungin Lee
- Young Entrepreneur — Lee founded Cluely while he was still a college student, showing early signs of a tech visionary.
- Controversial Innovator — His AI tool sparked debates around academic integrity, leading to his suspension from Columbia University.
- Dropped Out to Pursue Startup — After the controversy, Lee chose to leave university and focus full-time on growing Cluely.
- Raised Millions Despite Backlash — Even with criticism, he successfully raised over $5 million in seed funding to scale his startup.
- Redefining “Cheating” — Lee challenges traditional views on cheating by comparing AI tools to calculators and spellcheckers, which were once considered unfair aids.
- Stealth Technology Pioneer — Cluely’s AI runs in hidden browser windows to provide real-time help without detection, an innovative but controversial feature.
- Philosophy of Human Augmentation — Lee envisions AI as a partner that enhances human ability rather than replacing or undermining it.
- Viral Media Attention — A demonstration video of Cluely went viral, bringing both fame and scrutiny to Lee and his startup.
- Young Fundraising Success — At just 21 years old, Lee raised millions from well-known venture capital firms.
- Focused on Ethical AI — Despite controversy, Lee actively promotes discussions on the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.
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