Despite plans for a small gathering, a “Cluely” AI startup event was shut down by police due to an unexpectedly large crowd.
Roy Lee, founder and CEO of Cluely, explained that the event was intended as a small after-party following Y Combinator’s “AI Startup School,” which featured prominent figures like Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, and Elon Musk.
Lee promoted the event satirically on social media and said they only invited friends. However, as news spread, about 2,000 people showed up, causing heavy crowding on the streets.
As a result, police intervened to disperse the crowd and shut down the event. Lee commented that it would be remembered as one of the most legendary tech events that never actually happened.
Previously, Roy Lee had been suspended from Columbia University after developing an AI tool designed to cheat on job interviews. His startup gained notoriety for this feature. In April, Cluely raised $5.3 million in seed funding.
Despite the police intervention and rumors surrounding the event, Lee stated that drinks remain at the venue, ready for the next gathering.
