The Best One Yet cover image

The Best One Yet

đŸŽ© “Cheat on Anything” — Cluely’s cheating app. Home Depot’s secret garden. The Fed’s Batman independence.

Apr 23, 2025
Discover the controversy behind Cluelly, an AI cheating app created by Columbia students, which sparked ethical debates. Learn how Home Depot's secret garden division rakes in $20 billion annually. Uncover the consequences of politeness in AI interactions that cost millions. Plus, delve into the Federal Reserve's independence and the challenges it faces amid political pressures, while likening its role to that of Batman making tough decisions for the greater good. Join the fun as they intertwine business insights with humor!
22:59

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Cluelly app, initially developed to help students cheat during interviews, highlights the ethical dilemmas of AI in competitive contexts.
  • Home Depot's garden division, now its largest revenue source, capitalizes on consumer preferences for in-person purchases, outpacing e-commerce competitors.

Deep dives

Columbia Students Create Cheating App

Two Columbia University students launched an app called Cluelly that helps users cheat in various contexts, including job interviews. They developed this AI tool to assist them during their tech internship interviews with companies like Amazon and Meta, eventually leading to their suspension from the university for violating academic integrity. After leaving Columbia, they transitioned their app into a for-profit venture that generates approximately $3 million in annual revenue. This development raises questions about the blurred lines between using AI for legitimate advantages and outright cheating, challenging traditional views on ethics in technology.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner