Columbia Student’s AI Interview Tool: From Internships to Expulsion
A Columbia University student named Roy Lee found himself in a whirlwind of controversy after admitting to using an AI tool he created to conquer coding interviews and land internships at prominent tech firms like Amazon, Meta, and TikTok. His journey, however, took an unexpected turn when the university expelled him, allegedly due to pressure from Amazon.
AI-Powered Interview Hacking?
Lee developed “Interview Coder,” an AI-driven tool designed to help candidates excel in LeetCode-style coding interviews. He openly acknowledged using the software to secure multiple job offers and even shared his success story on X (formerly Twitter).
“Yes, I actually used Interview Coder to get an Amazon offer. Yes, I used to also run an account that taught people how to solve Leetcode questions,” Lee wrote in his post.
Yes, I actually used @InterviewCoder to get an Amazon offer. Yes, I used to also run an account that taught people how to solve Leetcode questions. Enjoy.
https://t.co/cgzrMDBE2Q — Roy (@im_roy_lee) February 28, 2025
Initially launched as an open-source project on LinkedIn, the tool automates solutions to complex algorithmic problems. While the initial release didn’t garner much attention, Lee continued to refine it throughout the recruitment season, ultimately helping him secure positions at Meta, TikTok, and Capital One.
Banned, Then Expelled
Lee’s foray into pushing boundaries came at a cost. LinkedIn banned his account after he posted about his job offers as experience, and he was removed from several Reddit communities. But the real trouble began when he shared a video detailing how he used Interview Coder throughout Amazon’s hiring process. According to Lee, Amazon executives were not impressed, and the company reportedly sent a letter to Columbia University, demanding his expulsion or threatening to halt hiring from the institution.
Shortly thereafter, Lee received a disciplinary notice from the university.
“I was told not to share the letter, but at that point, I had two choices: Stay quiet and get buried (Columbia would surely have sided with Amazon to kick me out) or go public and fight,” he said.
Fighting Back — But Losing the Battle
Lee chose the riskier path, leaking the alleged Amazon letter, which went viral on social media. However, Columbia proceeded with disciplinary action, accusing him of enabling cheating within university courses. Despite denying the allegation, he was placed on academic probation and later expelled after a second hearing.
Reflecting on the experience, Lee stated, “It’s funny now and an amazing story in hindsight, but the truth is I was tweaking bad throughout this entire process. Taking this much risk tested my mental strength to its absolute limit, but I’m super glad I did it.”
Despite the setback, Lee remains undeterred, claiming Interview Coder still functions and has been upgraded for “maximal undetectability.” Nonetheless, the ethical debate surrounding AI tools in hiring processes is far from over.
