By [mc]
A 21-year-old Columbia University student has been suspended for one year after creating and using an artificial intelligence tool called Interview Coder, which helps job applicants cheat during technical interviews. The student, Chungin “Roy” Lee, reportedly used the tool to pass hiring assessments for several high-profile tech companies, including Amazon, Meta, TikTok, and Capital One.
According to a report by NBC News, Interview Coder is a covert AI-based assistant that operates in real time, designed specifically to help candidates solve technical interview questions without detection. The tool can analyze spoken or written prompts, generate code solutions, refine them, and even explain the logic behind the answers—all while remaining invisible to the interviewer.
Interview Coder’s official website claims the AI software can bypass detection by commonly used video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Google Meet. The service has been offered at a subscription rate of $60 per month. Lee, along with a business partner, projected that their startup could eventually generate as much as $2 million in annual revenue.
The controversy surrounding Lee escalated after he posted a now-deleted YouTube video in which he demonstrated using Interview Coder to pass Amazon’s technical assessment. The video garnered over 100,000 views before being removed for copyright violations. Following public exposure of his actions, several companies rescinded their job offers to Lee, and Columbia University initiated disciplinary proceedings.
The university confirmed that Lee has been suspended for one academic year due to violations of the institution’s academic integrity policies. While Columbia declined to provide further details, the suspension serves as a cautionary measure amid rising concerns about AI misuse in academic and professional settings.
Despite the disciplinary actions, Interview Coder continues to grow rapidly. According to Lee, the platform is experiencing a 50% weekly increase in users and currently brings in approximately $170,000 in monthly revenue. The software’s popularity has surged among job seekers in the tech industry, many of whom face intense competition and high-pressure interview environments.
Lee has amassed a sizable following on social media, with tens of thousands of users tracking his posts and updates. His story has drawn polarized reactions online. While some users applaud him for challenging outdated hiring practices, others have condemned his actions as unethical and damaging to the credibility of technical assessments.
“AI is going to change how people approach interviews, whether companies like it or not,” Lee stated in a now-deleted social media post. He argues that traditional coding interviews often fail to reflect real-world engineering skills and that AI can level the playing field for candidates who may not perform well under pressure.
Still, critics say Lee’s defense falls short. Many in the tech community argue that using such tools undermines the integrity of hiring processes and could result in underqualified candidates entering critical technical roles. Employers also risk security vulnerabilities and productivity losses if applicants misrepresent their technical proficiency.
Industry observers are now questioning how companies can adapt to this new landscape. With generative AI tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Interview Coder becoming increasingly accessible, hiring managers face mounting challenges in verifying candidates’ true abilities.
Some experts are calling for a re-evaluation of technical interview formats altogether. “The standard whiteboard interview may no longer be viable in an AI-assisted world,” said one hiring consultant. “Companies need to focus more on project-based assessments, peer reviews, and real-time collaborative problem-solving.”
In response to these trends, some companies have already begun piloting more holistic interview formats, emphasizing behavioral interviews, take-home projects, and live coding sessions that assess both technical and interpersonal skills. However, there is no industry-wide consensus yet on how best to address the growing influence of AI in recruitment.
For now, Lee remains at the center of a broader conversation about ethics, innovation, and the unintended consequences of technology. While his tool has sparked backlash, it also raises important questions about how the tech industry evaluates talent—and whether those systems are due for an overhaul.
Columbia University has not stated whether further disciplinary action will be considered if Lee continues to promote or monetize Interview Coder during his suspension. Meanwhile, the platform’s rapid growth suggests that the market for such tools is likely to expand, challenging educational institutions and corporations alike to respond thoughtfully and effectively.
