This Filipino AI advocate adds a human touch to tech innovations that aim to preserve endangered languages, safeguard linguistic diversity and even reduce carbon footprint.
Technology and culture intersect in Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo’s work as founder of NightOwlGPT. The AI-powered platform helps preserve endangered languages and addresses the urgent need to digitize and safeguard linguistic diversity. So far, the app has already translated more than two million words, providing much-needed support for linguistic preservation in areas where digital resources are often limited.
“Growing up as a member of the Karay-a ethnolinguistic group, I saw firsthand the critical importance of having digital support for lesser-known languages,” said the former public servant, who recently served as Undersecretary of Foreign Relations and Public Affairs. “NightOwlGPT is a cornerstone in our efforts to keep these languages — and the identities they represent — alive.”
One Young World Ambassador
In addition to developing her breakthrough app, Lamentillo was also recognized as one of five global changemakers who are using AI to transform communities. Soon after being chosen as a One Young World Ambassador, she joined a forum that tackled pressing issues such as eco-friendly refrigeration, cutting-edge healthcare diagnostics, online safety for young people, and the development of advanced communication tools for the hearing-impaired.
Last February, Lamentillo also received the She Shapes AI Award for AI & Learning at a ceremony at the University College of London in Canary Wharf. An affiliate of the Paris 2025 AI Action Summit, the event recognized women leaders who ensure that AI remains ethical and inclusive.
Looking Ahead
Building on the success of NightOwlGPT, her next project, Carbon Compass, aims to combine AI, space technology, and blockchain to help organizations and individuals track and reduce carbon footprint. “Climate action isn’t only about cutting-edge research — it’s also about making sure everyone can be part of the solution,” Lamentillo explained.
NightOwlGPT, other hand, will continue to expand its linguistic support to more people in various parts of the globe. It is set to expand to Ghana, Pakistan and Colombia to benefit speakers of marginalized languages this year.
Through it all, her guiding principle remains the same: technology must be purposeful, ensuring tangible benefits for local communities and the planet as a whole. “It’s not simply about how many products we launch, but how we ensure these tools genuinely serve people’s well-being,” Lamentillo notes. “AI offers enormous potential if we use it responsibly — lifting communities, preserving cultures, and addressing some of the most pressing challenges we face.”
