Looking back, my university years were a journey of constant redirection.
I initially aspired to a career in medical field. However, despite three earnest attempts, that ambition remained unfulfilled, compelling me to seek a new path. My rationale at the time was straightforward: if I couldn’t engage directly with life itself, I would contribute to the environment—the very foundation upon which life flourishes. Thus, I chose to major in Civil Environmental Engineering.
Yet, the regret over my initial choice cast a long shadow. During my freshman year, disengaged from uninspiring coursework, I drifted, oscillating between the library, a sanctuary of worldly wisdom, and the fleeting dopamine rush of drinking parties.
A pivotal shift occurred during my 20 months of military service, followed by a two-month sojourn in the United States. Military life, in its oppression and solitude, fostered introspection, while America, with its freedom and connectivity, broadened my perspective.
As this period of self-discovery drew to a close, a clearer vision for my academic pursuits upon returning to university began to emerge. While indirect contributions to the macro-environmental framework held value, the prospect of developing technology-based tools that directly impact our micro-level daily lives resonated more deeply.
With this renewed sense of purpose, I returned for my sophomore year. Due to my academic neglect freshman year, transferring to departments like Electrical Engineering or Computer Science proved unfeasible. However, I was fortunate to be selected as a scholarship recipient for the ‘SW Convergence Major’ within my department. This granted me the flexibility to tailor my studies from my sophomore year onwards.
This enabled me to delve into a diverse spectrum of CS subjects, from foundational programming languages like C, Java, and Python to advanced domains such as artificial intelligence, computer vision, and digital image processing. Furthermore, I explored various applied fields that integrated my original major with AI, such as an atmospheric modeling practicum leveraging artificial intelligence.
Moreover, my intellectual curiosity extended beyond technical disciplines. I sought to deepen my understanding of humanity and society through courses in law, business administration, economics, and psychology. I also gained firsthand experience of the real economy and market dynamics through involvement in entrepreneurship and financial investment clubs.
In my final semester, I took my first steps into the world of research as an undergraduate research assistant in a Natural Language Processing (NLP) lab. Now, my sights are set beyond Large Language Models (LLMs) towards the ambitious goal of realizing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)—arguably the most transformative technology in human history. AGI represents more than a mere technological advancement; it promises to unlock the very essence of human intellect, push its boundaries, and forge new pathways to solve the complex challenges confronting us. Furthermore, AGI can serve as a catalyst, unprecedentedly amplifying human creativity and productivity, enabling every individual to maximize their potential and collectively forge a brighter future.
Undoubtedly, this path will be fraught with unpredictable challenges and demand profound ethical deliberation. However, armed with the insights from my diverse academic journey, I am eager to actively engage with this monumental wave of change. To transform AGI’s boundless potential into reality, to meticulously mitigate the inherent risks, and to dedicate myself to ensuring its benefits are equitably shared across all humanity—this is the compelling mission that will guide my path forward.
