As someone who has described himself as being a “regular student,” one might not have expected Wes Kim to make a foray into the world of artificial intelligence, especially not during his final year at the University of Chicago, where he was studying computer science.
However, a chance meeting with a local mushroom distributor at a farmer’s market would change his perspective on the way business owners manage their inventories–and ultimately reshape his life in the process.
A Farmer’s Market Moment
Kim is clear that he didn’t just simply “happen upon this idea” by himself. His encounter with the mushroom distributor occurred when he was wandering through a farmer’s market, and his bright idea would follow when the distributor showed Kim his facility, from which he supplied most of Chicago’s top downtown restaurants.
“I was struck by how manual everything was,” Kim says. “He spent hours each morning converting hundreds of email orders into invoices and tracking inventory on a whiteboard.”
Kim’s exploration into the world of emerging technology coincided with the launch of ChatGPT. It was here, Kim says, that he saw an opportunity. He and the distributor would begin to meet weekly, and eventually, they created a system that not only automated the mushroom distributor’s order processing but also saved him hours daily.
“That's when it hit me,” Kim says. “Technology isn't evenly distributed across industries, especially in sectors far removed from tech.”
Challenges in Traditional Industries
Traditional industries are often resistant to change. This is especially true when new technology is introduced to a landscape where businesses operate on legacy systems that have been in use for decades.
“The breakthrough came when we realized we needed to find the early adopters—people who were genuinely frustrated with their current processes and open to trying something new,” Kim shares. “We went door-to-door, made countless cold calls, and faced rejection after rejection until we found that first believer who was willing to give us a chance.”
This opportunity arose as Kim worked to prove that his solution could be effective. By showcasing its capabilities, word spread quickly through the industry, thereby ushering in a new era of technology.
The Impact of Invisible Tech
AI has shown itself to be revolutionary. Not only does it save time and reduce stress, but it also often honors the labor behind the system. Kim’s solutions demonstrate this change across multiple industries.
“This experience opened my eyes to how much untapped potential exists in traditional legacy industries,” Kim states. “Now, as a founding engineer at a company automating healthcare claim denials for one of the largest healthcare groups in the US, I'm continuing to bridge that gap between cutting-edge technology and industries that need it most.”
An Ethic, Not Just an Edge
Kim’s work is grounded in the belief that the people who run society shouldn’t be left behind in the tech age. He has proven that every industry deserves access to modern solutions that not only transform their operations but also reduce manual work, helping them compete in today’s economy.
“I'm proving that some of the biggest opportunities exist in the most overlooked sectors where a simple automation tool can save hours of daily work and dramatically improve people's lives,” Kim says.
Whether working with mushroom orders or hospital claims, Wes Kim’s AI solutions don’t seek the spotlight; rather, they allow businesses to shine by utilizing modern technology.
