Cluely - Provocation or Problem?

Have you heard about Cluely? The Cheating Tool for literally everything.

I just watched the Cluely video (you can see it here: https://youtu.be/Rz3LD7u2KX8), and let's just say it stirred up a strong reaction – cue the very British eye-roll and tut.

It struck me that the video's shock value seems deliberately designed to undermine the very essence of our human connections. It feels like a calculated move to provoke, and while it certainly achieved that, it also left me feeling deeply uneasy.

Can you imagine consciously deciding to bypass genuine thought and emotional engagement in your relationships? To essentially "cheat" your way through them? It feels incredibly short-sighted, a dangerous gamification of life and the values we hold dear. The idea that a system could allow you to literally cheat at everything feels deeply unsettling.

The fact that this shock tactic has already garnered them a staggering $5.3 million in investment is, frankly, astounding.

Now, a part of me suspects that a more palatable, toned-down version of this technology will eventually emerge. However, the initial impact has sparked some crucial questions in my mind. If AI continues its rapid advancement, will we need to create "clean rooms" for students and anyone undergoing qualifications to truly assess their skills? Will we be forced to re-evaluate the intrinsic value of human connection and critical thinking in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence?

I'm deeply concerned about the idea of gamifying our relationships with tools like Cluely and, even more so, our students' learning journeys. Are we inadvertently teaching them that "cheating" is a viable approach? I firmly believe we need to embed the ethical use of AI in the education of our students, our teachers, and society as a whole. This video has certainly prompted me to reflect on how I want to guide my students in their interactions with both AI and each other.

Life isn't a game to be won through shortcuts. My hope is to use technology to enhance my learning and expand my knowledge, not to diminish my humanity and become a prompt for an AI generator.