GIST · EECS
Charles Choi
최재원
AI Engineer · Entrepreneur · Researcher
I'm an undergraduate at GIST studying Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. I'm interested in building AI systems that actually work in the real world not just in controlled settings. I started a pre-startup called Rootive along the way, and I'm still working on this.
Charles Choi
최재원 · GIST '25
About
About Me
소개
Affiliation
GIST, Dept of EECS
Nationality
Republic of Korea / USA (Dual Citizen)
Location
Anyang-Si, Gyeonggi-do
Education
GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology), 2025~
Hi, I'm Charles Choi (최재원). I'm studying Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at GIST, and I'm genuinely curious about how AI systems behave when they leave the lab.
During my studies, I started a startup called Rootive, a smart-gardening platform. What began as a side project turned into a patent application and a collaboration with SK Intellix. I learned more from the failures than the wins.
I care about the intersection of technology and people. Growing up between the US and Korea gave me a perspective I try to bring into my work.
I'm currently preparing transfer applications to universities in the United States.
Research
Interests & Research
관심사 & 연구 방향
AI Systems
I'm more interested in how models behave in the real world than in benchmarks. I want to build systems that connect algorithms, data pipelines, and actual users.
Experimentation
I learn by testing hypotheses against reality. Failed experiments have taught me more than successful ones — especially about how AI behaves outside controlled settings.
Rapid Prototyping
I like building things quickly. Problems that aren't visible in theory help me to build new ideas.
Interdisciplinary Thinking
Good products don't come from technology alone. I'm interested in research environments that combine technical depth with business and social context.
Human-Centered Design
AI should help people make better decisions, not replace them. I try to understand how users actually interact with a system before designing it.
Education
Education
GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)
2025.03 — PresentB.S. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
TGPA: 4.26/4.5 (Merit-based Scholarship)
Wonhae Foundation Scholarship — Selected as National Outstanding Science & Engineering Student (Merit-Based). Total Credits: 23 at GIST + 15 at SNU (Big Data Major, Academic Exchange Program). Selected Courseworks: Calculus I–III, Intro to AI, Cloud Systems, Blockchain & Cognitive Computing, Big Data & Life Solutions, General Physics, General Chemistry, Academic Writing.
Incheon Haneul Academy
2022.03 — 2025.02Graduate — Private Independent Boarding School
Private Independent Boarding School graduate.
Career
Professional Experience
경력 및 경험
Rootive — GIST Business Incubation Center
Founder & Lead AI Engineer
Building a smart-gardening platform where plants and users can interact through data. The work on computer vision and sensor integration led to a national patent application (10-2026-0002365). We're currently in a PoC collaboration with SK Intellix. Placed 2nd at the DMC Innovation national startup competition (154 teams).
SmoreTalk AI Inc. — Google for Startups
AI Engineering / Service Marketing Intern
Worked on marketing and tech strategy for an image-generation AI platform. Ran a tech blog with Google-Nanobanana Pro. Also reviewed AI service architecture and ran a university-targeted campaign that hit its targets.
Google.org AI Career School — Rootimpact
Alumni & Team Lead
Joined the L:AUNCH AI startup hackathon and built an iOS/Android MVP, mostly handling the backend. Ran a beta test with most positive feedback, which was encouraging.
Hyundai Mobis AI Autonomous Driving Program
AI Engineering Team Leader (Alumni)
Completed intensive AI-based autonomous driving exploration program by Hyundai Mobis. Analyzed sensor data and AI model integration within autonomous driving architectures. Key Project: Optimized school vehicle battery system — proved efficiency improvement using Lithium-ion vs. Alkaline batteries.
Patent
Patent & Intellectual Property
특허 및 지식재산
AI-based Interactive Care Home-Gardening Solution for Companion Plants
AI 기반 반려식물 인터랙티브 홈가드닝 케어 솔루션
Application No: 10-2026-0002365 (Filed: 2026.01.06, Individual Patent)
An AI-based interactive plant care system that enables users to manage companion plants through personalized analysis, real-time feedback, and emotional interaction. The system collects plant images and environmental data via a mobile app, analyzes them using an ML-based vision model (92.7% accuracy, MSE-based), stores data in a cloud server, and enables conversational interaction through an LLM-based chatbot. Currently being applied in an ongoing collaborative project with SK Group (SK Intellix). Validated through enterprise-level PoC testing and corporate sponsorship.
Research
Research Experience
연구 경험
A Study on the Mechanical Mechanisms and Correlation Analysis of Interactions Between Electromagnets and Electronic Waste Induced by Acoustic Vibrations in an Underwater Environment
Research Advisor: Prof. SeungHee Han, GIST — Samsung HumanTech Paper Award Abstract Submission (First Author)
Quantitatively investigated the coupled effects of magnetic field strength (0–0.06 T) and acoustic vibration frequency (30–100 Hz) on electronic waste motion, aggregation time, and attachment efficiency under saline underwater conditions (~34 PSU). Conducted 126 experimental conditions in a controlled water tank (900×300×450 mm). Results: Increasing magnetic field from 0.01T to 0.06T raised average particle velocity from 0.0868 to 0.564 mm/s, reducing T₉₀ from 121.4s to below 55.1s. Acoustic vibrations at 40–60 Hz reduced T₉₀ by up to 30.2%. Regression analysis confirmed statistically significant interaction effect (p < 0.05).
View Research PaperAwards
Honors & Awards
수상 및 인정
Excellence Award
1st NAMUHX Hackathon (Hosted by SK Intellix)
Team Lead, Rootive Team. Led to PoC agreement with SK Intellix CEO.
Encouragement Award (Hanyang Univ. ERICA President Award)
National University Student SW Startup Ideathon
Team Lead, Rootive Team
2nd Place — Top Award
DMC Innovation Camp — National Startup Competition (154 teams)
Selected for DMC Connect follow-up mentoring. Received 2,500,000 KRW follow-up investment.
Grand Prize — Overall 1st Place (CEO Award of Hyundai Mobis)
2nd Youth Science & Engineering Debate Competition
Representative debater of Incheon Haneul Academy. National 1st place.
Encouragement Award
CSG AI & IoT Mackathon (Makerthon & Hackathon)
Team Lead, Rootive Team
Special Award (Korea Student Aid Foundation Chairman Award)
University Student Startup Competition — Ranked 1st by Corporate Evaluation Panel
Ranked 1st by Corporate Evaluation Panel
Encouragement Award (Jeju Industry-Academia Convergence Institute President Award)
Honam IS Hackathon
Team Lead, Team Simteo
GIST College President's Award for Research
GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)
Related to AI Smart-Gardening research paper (linked to patent application)
Media Coverage
미디어 보도
Leading Korean newspapers including Herald Economy and Professor News reported on Rootive's technological capabilities, patent filings, and pre-startup innovations.
Activities
Activities & Clubs
활동 및 클럽
GIST Student Council — HOUSE Dormitory Council
Documents & Records Officer
Responsible for document management and international student affairs at GIST dormitory council.
GIST English Academic & Debate Club (ELITE)
1st President (Founder)
Founded and led GIST's English Academic Club ELITE as its inaugural president. Organized academic debate and presentation programs.
GIST Business Administration Club (MOP)
Startup Team Engineer
Active as Startup Team Leader in GIST's business administration club MOP. Researched startup strategies and business models.
GIST Formula Student Club (G_BungE)
Autonomous Driving Engineering Team Member
Active in vehicle engineering and autonomous driving engineering team. Participated in autonomous driving system design and implementation.
Other Clubs & Activities
Skills
Skills & Languages
역량 및 언어
Professional Skills / 전문 역량 (Research Area Depth)
Tools & Technologies / 도구 & 기술
Languages / 언어 능력
🇺🇸 United States
🇰🇷 Republic of Korea
Merit-based Scholarship · GIST
Contact
Get In Touch
연락하기
Feel free to reach out for new opportunities, collaborations, or research.
© 2026 Charles Choi (최재원). All rights reserved.
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