The viral rise of AI cheating app Cluely has sparked a wave of pushback from startups claiming they can detect its use — even as Cluely hints it may soon outpace them all with futuristic hardware.
Cluely, which grabbed attention online last week, markets itself as an “undetectable” browser-based tool designed to help users game the system — from exams and job interviews to sales pitches and meetings. But while the company insists it’s simply enabling smarter productivity, critics say it’s encouraging outright cheating.
Now, challengers are stepping in to stop it. San Francisco-based startup Validia has released a tool called Truely, a free detection app designed specifically to catch Cluely in action. According to Validia, Truely can raise red flags the moment it detects someone running Cluely on their machine.
Another startup, Proctaroo, says its own platform already exposes users of Cluely. Adrian Aamodt, CEO of Rhode Island-based Proctaroo, explained that their proctoring tech can see hidden windows and background apps — even those claiming to be stealthy. “Cluely is no different,” Aamodt said, calling the rival app’s entire model “unethical.”
Cluely’s co-founder and CEO Chungin “Roy” Lee isn’t worried. He likens these new detection efforts to failed anti-cheat measures in online gaming, where cat-and-mouse dynamics often give cheaters the edge. Instead of playing defense, Lee is thinking bigger — much bigger.
In response to rising scrutiny, Lee says Cluely is exploring hardware products that would sidestep traditional software detection altogether. “Smart glasses, a transparent screen overlay, a necklace that records, or even a brain chip — we’re open to all of it,” he said.
While the idea may sound outlandish, Lee insists the tech is within reach. “From a technical standpoint, building hardware to support our goals is trivial,” he said, brushing off the struggles faced by other AI hardware projects like Humane’s AI Pin.
Still, Cluely is adapting. Following media criticism, the startup has quietly removed references to cheating on tests and interviews from its site and manifesto. Instead, the platform now highlights “enhancing performance” during meetings, sales calls, and general workplace tasks — part of a broader shift in strategy.
Lee says the company is evolving to target more mainstream use cases, describing the pivot as a way to enter high-value markets. “We’re planting roots in the biggest, most impactful verticals,” he explained, “and growing from there.”
But as Cluely shifts its messaging, the core debate remains: is this the future of workplace automation, or just a high-tech way to cheat the system?
