The image above was created using ChatGPT, and as AI becomes more advanced, we can now generate complex images in seconds or minutes with simple commands. While some aspects may still seem awkward, creating this level of quality without AI assistance would have required significant time and effort on my part. Mastery of design concepts and graphic tools would have been essential, too. Though the results aren't perfect yet, with practice, you can generate images that look even more natural.
AI simplifies complex tasks that otherwise take time and skill to master. To explore how AI is being used to make our lives more efficient, I visited the NetsPresso team at Nota. In this special interview, I spoke with two former alternative military researchers—now AI Research Engineer and Embedded Research Engineer—who work in the R&D department.
🔍 What is an Alternative Military Researcher?
The Alternative Military Service (often referred to as "Specialists" in Korea) allows selected individuals to fulfill their mandatory military duties by working in research institutions instead of serving in active military roles. The aim is to enhance national competitiveness.The NetsPresso team researches and develops the core technology behind Nota’s solutions, providing a platform service that helps compress and optimize deep learning models. Today, we’ll explore some insights from two of the team members, Kyunghwan Shim and Junkyung Choi.
Nota and Alternative Military Researchers
Q. What led you to join Nota?
Kyunghwan: I was interested in pruning techniques for model optimization, and that’s how I discovered Nota, a company specializing in such technologies. After applying as an alternative military researcher, I found out that a senior from my department, Seul-ki Yeom, was already working at Nota. Knowing that my senior had chosen this company made me confident about my decision to join, and Seul-ki, who now works at Nota’s Berlin office, was a major factor in that decision..
How does NetsPresso leverage AI?
Q. You’re part of the NetsPresso team. What problems does NetsPresso solve?
Junkyung: The name NetsPresso might sound familiar, right? Just like Nespresso machines extract espresso by pressing ground coffee, NetsPresso compresses large and complex deep learning models into lightweight versions. Much like discarding leftover coffee grounds, NetsPresso removes unnecessary parts of the model. Additionally, just as certain coffee capsules only fit specific machines, AI models also require specific operators. NetsPresso optimizes AI models by replacing or transforming them with the right operators.
To put it simply, it’s like making a coffee capsule compatible with other coffee machines after undergoing a process. Using the NetsPresso platform reduces the time and cost required to build models that fit various devices, making AI model development more efficient. This embodies Nota’s philosophy of using AI technology to make life easier for everyone.
The Reward of Three Years of Dedication
Q. You completed your full three-year term as an alternative military researcher at Nota! What motivated you to stay for the full term, despite having other options?
Kyunghwan: I deeply resonated with the need for model optimization in a world of increasingly large models. Implementing pruning techniques and seeing models accelerate gave me an incredible sense of achievement. That experience was the backbone that kept me going for three years, and it remains the reason I continue working at Nota.
Nota has been developing AI model optimization techniques, such as pruning, long before it became mainstream. With over 7-8 years of experience handling various hardware platforms, Nota’s expertise caught Kyunghwan’s attention, making it the ideal place for him to pursue his interests.
An Environment that Encourages Growth
Q. What have you gained from working at Nota?
Junkyung: I’ve gained diverse experiences, technical growth, and learned how to work in a team. Nota offers equal opportunities to both regular employees and alternative military researchers. Thanks to this, I was able to publish papers and travel abroad while serving my term. The environment at Nota pushed me to test my potential and grow.
Working on projects here, everyone takes ownership of their role while supporting each other. Over time, we come together as a complete team, filling in each other's gaps. When choosing a company to begin your career, I think the ability to grow is one of the most important factors. If I define myself as a seed, Nota is the fertile soil that helps me grow.
It’s not easy to find a company where you can learn from talented colleagues and fully unlock your potential. In most workplaces, you're likely to meet more people who are different from you than those who are similar, which can lead to friction. As you get caught up in your tasks, it can often feel like you're simply working through your to-do list, rather than experiencing personal growth. I’m not saying that you won’t encounter these challenges at Nota—it’s natural for people to have different experiences, even in the same environment. But one thing I’m sure of is that at Nota, the focus is more on helping each other grow together rather than competing against one another.
Uncovering Potential and Growth
Q. Besides the work environment, are there any other benefits to working at Nota? What has changed since you first joined?
Junkyung: The most noticeable change since I joined is the company’s size. When I first started, the team was small, and the office wasn’t that big. After two relocations and recent Series C funding, the scale has increased significantly, with an IPO now in sight.
As the company grows, they’ve also placed more emphasis on internal communication. There are now clubs and study groups that break down barriers and provide more opportunities to share knowledge and hobbies. I’m part of the board game club, but there are also clubs for soccer, basketball, climbing, and more. This collaborative culture has naturally taken root, allowing us to learn from one another on both a technical and personal level.
Nota's philosophy of unwavering support for growth, along with colleagues who readily lend a hand when needed, are assets I take pride in. It seems that Junkyung also truly appreciates these aspects of working at Nota.
For those Considering a Career as a Specialist at Nota...
Kyunghwan: At Nota, you’ll work on developing frameworks to optimize deep learning models. This is very different from simply using well-known models. You’ll gain deep knowledge of frameworks like PyTorch, Keras, and Onnx, and you’ll develop a profound understanding of various models. For those wanting to explore new frameworks and delve deeper into model optimization, Nota is the ideal choice.
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Victor Frankl once said, "Humans are inherently driven to seek meaning." This rings true as we constantly search for meaning in both work and life. However, there are times when that meaning becomes difficult to find, and for some, military service may be one of those periods.
In South Korea, many conscripts find themselves counting down the days of their 18-month service, often checking their phones to see how much time is left. For research personnel fulfilling alternative service, the commitment extends to three years, nearly double the time of regular active-duty soldiers. Yet, during that time, they not only complete their military obligations in a different way but also have the advantage of building their careers. Most individuals who start their research service at Nota or transfer to the company continue working here even after their service ends. This reflects the fact that Nota is not just a research institution offering military service exemptions, but a place where people can showcase their abilities and grow in their careers.
AI to everyone, everywhere. This is the foundational belief that drives Nota, a company that started with the hope of improving people's daily lives through technology. Even as the company expands its business into new areas, the ultimate purpose behind each project remains the same. For example, the lightweighting and optimization technologies used in NetsPresso are now being applied to areas like Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS), yet the principle of using technology to benefit people has not changed. If you ever find yourself struggling to find meaning in your work or life, joining an organization with clear goals and vision can help. And if that vision is to make a positive impact on the world, the three years of alternative service will feel all the more meaningful.
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