ALEX ZHANG
AI & SOCIETY
My engagement in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) examines how technological systems are governed—and how those choices determine whether innovation promotes equity, accountability, and human dignity, or reproduces existing inequalities.
Through interdisciplinary research, public dialogue, and policy-oriented analysis, I explore how ethical frameworks, institutional structures, and social contexts shape the real-world consequences of emerging technologies.
Awards & Recognition
First Prize, China Braille Press — Self-Made Educational Tool
First Prize, Haidian District Youth Science & Technology Innovation
Third Prize, Shenzhen Assistive Device Innovation Design Competition
“Most Innovative Award”, Youth Public Welfare Forum
Academic Research in STS & Ethics
STS & Ethical AI — Pediatric Vision Screening
Under the mentorship of Amol Joshi, I conducted STS research on the ethical deployment of AI in pediatric vision screening. Through seminars, independent research sessions, and peer-led discussions on AI governance, I examined how technical systems intersect with public health, equity, and institutional responsibility.
I authored a 38-page research paper analyzing smartphone-based AI diagnostics for children aged 0–5, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and strategic implementation in underserved contexts. The project earned an A (4 credits) and strengthened my interest in policy-aware, human-centered technology design.
Public Dialogue & Human-Centered Innovation
18 Under 18 STS Forum
As an invited speaker and organizer, I led discussions on ethical technology, coordinated events, and synthesized insights from 20+ academic and policy sources. My work highlighted equity challenges across eight technology sectors, translating complex STS debates into accessible dialogue for youth audiences. As a lead organizer of Human-centered Innovation Society, I helped guide interdisciplinary forums connecting technology, design, healthcare, and education. I hosted discussions, organized Humanity Hackathons, and supported the development of AI tools for blind STEM learners. I also chaired a youth forum recognized in the Top 5% of CTB initiatives.
Human-centered Innovation Society
I founded and served as Editor-in-Chief of the Human-Centered Innovation Society, an interdisciplinary initiative spanning BNDS and four Beijing schools, focused on AI and design for social good. The society brings together students interested in applying technology to real-world challenges in healthcare, education, and accessibility.
I led disability-centered health-tech dialogues, organized AI–health hackathons, and edited three student research papers, guiding projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through these initiatives, I emphasized ethical design, inclusivity, and impact-driven innovation—training students to approach technology not only as an engineering problem, but as a human responsibility.
Applied & Computational Engineering (CPCI)
My 2,000-word paper on algorithmic bias and structural inequity in AI was accepted to CONF-CDS 2025 after double-blind peer review and published in Applied & Computational Engineering, with submission for indexing in CPCI, Crossref, and related databases.
Drawing on 26 academic sources, the paper examined the limits of ethics-only AI frameworks and proposed adapting the FDA’s Total Product Life Cycle (TPLC) model to strengthen transparency, accountability, and equity—supported by real-world case studies.