Imagine having a secret assistant that can effortlessly dominate meetings, exams, and even sales calls. Japan’s latest AI marvel, 'Cluely,' exemplifies this, boasting the ability to disrupt nine different industries entirely. For instance, during an important conference, it can take real-time notes, craft pertinent questions instantly, and provide accurate responses, making a participant seem smart without lifting a finger. It’s like having a private tutor, temp, and strategist all rolled into one—working seamlessly behind the scenes. What’s more astonishing is that this tool doesn’t just assist; it transforms the very game of competition, challenging our understanding of what it means to succeed honestly. Soon, the line between skill and deception blurs, prompting us to question whether technological progress should serve fairness or facilitate cheating.
The mastermind behind this disruptive AI is Chung-Min Lee—a person whose past is as controversial as his creations. Lee previously used AI to cheat during a coding exam, which led to his expulsion from Columbia University. This history seems to have kindled an obsession to build a perfect cheating machine. Today, with backing from top-tier venture capital firms like Andreessen Horowitz, Lee employs a shrewd strategy. Rather than unveiling the full capabilities immediately, his team launches aggressive marketing campaigns—initially creating hype with seemingly superficial products—before revealing the true power of 'Cluely.' This approach resembles the tactics of master illusionists who keep audiences captivated with deception. It underscores a critical lesson: in the fast-paced world of AI startups, speed and strategic marketing often matter more than ethics, potentially turning innovation into manipulation.
Now, let’s examine exactly what 'Cluely' can do—its nine core functions package a toolkit that’s both astonishing and alarming. For example, in corporate environments, it can automatically record meetings, generate insightful questions, and produce instant, convincing responses—making it seem like an attentive, highly-skilled employee, even if it’s all AI. Similarly, in sales, it handles objections smoothly, writes persuasive follow-up emails, and even maintains eye contact during video calls by overlaying artificial gaze focus—giving the appearance of confidence and professionalism. Students, too, benefit from these capabilities: during exams or lectures, the AI takes live notes, develops probing questions, and explains complex concepts clearly, thereby undermining genuine learning. Furthermore, in interviews, it crafts detailed questions, evaluates candidates’ thoughts, and detects technical flaws—providing recruiters with an unfair edge. These advanced features threaten to upend traditional standards of honesty, prompting urgent questions about the morality of relying on such AI-driven deception in crucial societal processes. Is this the future of competition, or a dangerous erosion of trust and integrity? The debate is only beginning.
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