In Conversation with the ICSO International Philanthropy Ambassador: Technology for Good Advocate Zhixing Chen

Zhixing Chen, a young scholar and technology-for-good practitioner, was honored with the 2023 ICSO International Philanthropy Ambassador Award for his outstanding contributions at the intersection of technological innovation and philanthropy. With both visionary foresight and practical execution, Chen has been exploring how technology can generate sustainable social value. From academic classrooms in New York to engineering labs in Silicon Valley, and from volunteer service with UNHCR to founding the “Lightbeam” initiative, he has consistently transformed philanthropic ideals into concrete social impact through systematic thinking and sustainable practice.

His journey reflects the responsibility and agency of today’s youth within a globalized context and offers new possibilities for technology-driven philanthropy. In this interview, we explore how Chen leverages innovation and long-term commitment to build bridges of hope for vulnerable communities, while redefining the boundaries between technology and philanthropy.

ICSO: Congratulations on receiving the ICSO Ambassador honor. You engaged in interdisciplinary research and philanthropic projects as early as high school. Could you recall the initial moment when you realized that technology and philanthropy could be combined?

Zhixing Chen: The idea actually came from a very ordinary experience. When I was in middle school, I read a news report on the psychological struggles of refugee children. It was the first time I realized that “educational equity” and “mental health” are not guaranteed for everyone. Living in New York, I had access to rich resources, but on the other side of the world, children my age were deprived of basic learning opportunities and psychological support because of war or family circumstances.

Later, during a engineering program, I learned how technology could address real problems—using algorithms to analyze health data or apps to support self-management. At that moment, I realized that technology is not just about impressive code; it can also be a compassionate tool. That was the beginning of “Lightbeam.”

ICSO: “Lightbeam,” launched under the ICSO Philanthropy Support Program, focuses on youth mental health and educational equity. Could you share how the project evolved from an idea to practical implementation?

Zhixing Chen: At first, it was just me and a few friends. We visited public high schools in New York and New Jersey and discovered that many students from low-income families lived under constant stress without access to counseling or emotional support. It became clear to me that philanthropy cannot be reduced to one-off lectures or donations—it requires sustainable and replicable systemic solutions.

We formed a cross-school volunteer team and developed a mental health education platform for teenagers. It includes a psychology resource library, meditation and stress management exercises, a peer-support community, and interactive tools to help students recognize and manage pressure. The platform has already piloted with over 200 underprivileged students and is being gradually rolled out in multiple schools.For me, “Lightbeam” is not merely a tech product but a co-created social experiment—designing solutions with, not for, the beneficiaries. I’ve learned that the core of philanthropy is not unilateral giving but co-creation: listening, understanding, and seeking solutions together.

ICSO: During your internship at Google, you developed a memory-assistance app for Alzheimer’s patients, which has since been downloaded more than 20,000 times. How did this experience shape your thinking about technology and philanthropy?

Zhixing Chen: That internship had a profound impact on me. We built an app that uses voice prompts and image recognition to help Alzheimer’s patients manage daily tasks—taking medication, contacting family, organizing schedules.

When the first test user told me, “For the first time, I feel I’ve regained control over my life,” I was deeply moved. I realized that the true value of technology is not in its technical sophistication but in solving real problems for real people. That experience reshaped the way I designed “Lightbeam,” with a stronger focus on user experience and accessibility. The challenge of tech-for-good is finding the balance: ensuring technical reliability while deeply understanding the user’s needs.

ICSO: As a young representative engaged in ICSO and UNHCR global initiatives, what do you see as the greatest challenges for young people participating in international philanthropy?

Zhixing Chen: I think there are two main challenges: voice and resources. First, voice. Many young people want to speak up but lack platforms to make their perspectives heard. During my time with UNHCR, I saw that many refugee-related policies lacked youth participation. Yet our perspectives—different from those of older generations—hold unique value.

Second, resources. Young people often lack the funding, technology, and team support needed to move from ideas to implementation. That’s where ICSO’s support was critical. They not only gave “Lightbeam” visibility but also connected us with psychologists, educators, and policy experts, making the project viable. For youth-led philanthropy, having a supportive ecosystem is essential.

ICSO: You also co-authored a paper with professors at UC Berkeley on renewable energy and traditional energy markets. Why did you choose to focus on sustainable development in addition to philanthropy?

Zhixing Chen: Because energy transition is inseparable from social equity. In our research, I saw how many low-income countries bear a disproportionate economic burden during the shift to renewable energy. They lack funds to replace outdated infrastructure, yet they are often the first to suffer the consequences of climate change.

Through this paper, I wanted to highlight that energy is not purely a technical issue but a social one. We often discuss in global dialogues that future philanthropy cannot remain siloed—it requires interdisciplinary, systemic thinking. Education, environment, health, technology—these issues are interwoven, and no single solution can address them in isolation.

Conclusion
This conversation reveals the courage and creativity of a young pioneer, and the boundless possibilities when technology and philanthropy converge. From Google’s labs to UN volunteer service, from the “Lightbeam” platform to renewable energy research, Zhixing Chen is answering one pressing question through action: How can technology illuminate hope for more people?

As he reminds us, philanthropy is not a grand slogan but a series of tangible, lived commitments. ICSO looks forward to working with youth leaders like Zhixing Chen—visionary, responsible, and innovative—to ensure more voices are heard, more challenges are addressed, and global philanthropy advances toward a more inclusive future.