Bisaya founder Lamentillo clinches AI & Learning Prize in London
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, the Bisaya founder of NightOwl AI, is recipient of the AI & Learning Award at the inaugural She Shapes AI Global Awards.
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, the Bisaya founder of NightOwl AI, has received the AI & Learning Award at the inaugural She Shapes AI Global Awards, held at University College London.
The ceremony, an officially recognized affiliated event of the Paris 2025 AI Action Summit, celebrated pioneers using artificial intelligence to foster cultural resilience and digital inclusion.
Angela Aristidou, UCL Professor and Stanford Digital Economy Lab Fellow, presented the award to Lamentillo, praising her work in harnessing AI for linguistic preservation.
Lamentillo’s NightOwlGPT platform offers real-time translation and culturally personalized learning resources, empowering marginalized communities in the Philippines, Colombia, Ghana and Pakistan to access education and commerce in their native dialects.
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Drawing on her own Bisaya heritage, Lamentillo has made safeguarding minority languages a cornerstone of her mission. NightOwlGPT transforms local dialects into dynamic digital tools, ensuring that linguistic heritage acts as a gateway—rather than a barrier—to the opportunities of the digital age.
Dr. Julia Stamm, founder of She Shapes AI, underscored the importance of diversity in AI development: “We are at a critical tipping point. If we want to create a future where AI works for everyone, we need to ensure that it is shaped by many, not a few,” said Stamm.
“By celebrating women from across the globe who propel the field forward and highlighting their impactful work, we show what is possible when AI aligns with societal values and responsible principles – and that business success and doing ‘good’ are not mutually exclusive.”
Lamentillo’s recognition at the She Shapes AI Global Awards not only spotlights the transformative potential of inclusive innovation but also reaffirms the imperative of grounding technology in the lived experiences of diverse communities.
