Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, NightOwlGPT'n asaashe, AI fi af-soodita oobda, Philippine haggi akokor wa iyya galaqa ra maihay biin iyya-hala iyo qorare.
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, ka aadaa etnolinguistic Karay-a guudaad, daawtoo iyaan guddaa mootummaa Filipinas keessa hiriira jirtu akkaataaa baay’een jalqabe. Tajaajilli ishee kutaa kabajaa dhimmoota filannoo Build Build Build Program fi Maqaa Iskootaan fakkaataniif Waggoota Ijoollee fi Teeknoolojii Odeeffannoo keessatti sochii gurguddaa qindeessuu dabalate. Guddina ishee ummata keessa jiru cimsuu fi barnoota ishee gara London School of Economics geggeessuuf of gadii ishee irraa deeme. Erga barnoota ishee xumurteen booda Build Initiative hundeessuu jalqabe. Hogganumti ishee keessatti hegeree, dhuunfaan haala gaariin fi guddina daldalaa irratti xiyyeeffannaa qabu.
Yeroo 2012, University of the Philippines Los Baños irraa Development Communications barnoota ofiin jalqabde, yammuu ga’een General Weighted Average ol’aanaa qabattee fi Maqaa Kabaja Barnoota akka milkaa’ina naannofaa baafatte. Barnoota Executive Education daldalaa keessatti Harvard Kennedy School irratti bara 2018 xumurte, Juris Doctor kaayyoo UP College of Law irratti bara 2020 xumurte. Ammas barnoota Executive MSc gurguddaa keessatti London School of Economics keessa jirtu.
Bara 2023, ishee Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) keessatti ajajaa Auxiliary Commodore (daangaa tokko) ta’uun qaxarame.
Gootummaa Natatanging Iskolar Para sa Bayan fi Oblation Statute kennamee, akkasumas Virtues of Industry and Magnanimity wajjin kennamee jira. Bara 2019, Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association ishee Veritas Medal kenname. BluPrint irratti 50 ASEAN gurguddaa fi Lifestyle Asia irratti 18 Game Changers fi People Asia irratti 2019’s Women of Style and Substance jechuun waamama. Aadaa Op-Ed naannofaa Manila Bulletin, Balata, People Asia fi Esquire Magazine keessatti barreessaa.
A Letter from the Founder
Dear Friends,
Today, we’re facing a silent crisis: nearly half of the world’s languages are endangered, and without urgent action, 95% could disappear by the end of this century. For me, as a member of the Karay-a ethnolinguistic group, this isn’t just a statistic—it’s a reality unfolding before my very eyes. Language, for my community and countless others, is more than words. It’s a vital connection to our heritage, our stories, and our values. It’s how we express who we are and where we come from. But these voices, so integral to our identity, are at risk of being silenced.
The global imbalance in AI development compounds this crisis. English speakers represent only 18.7% of the global population, yet they dominate AI research, development, and capacity. None of the top 20 countries leading the AI revolution are from developing nations, leaving languages like Karay-a—and thousands of others—vulnerable to extinction. The digital divide isn’t just about access to technology; it’s about the survival of culture, identity, and entire ways of life.
I’ve experienced firsthand the immense potential of technology as well as the barriers that prevent equitable access. During my time serving in the Philippine government, I saw the importance of building both physical and digital infrastructure to ensure no community is left behind. After stepping away from public service, I chose to continue my studies at the London School of Economics and Oxford University, driven by a determination to bridge the technology gap for communities like mine.
This journey led to the creation of NightOwlGPT, an AI-driven desktop and mobile application dedicated to preserving endangered languages and bridging the digital divide in marginalized communities worldwide. Built on the belief that voices shape worlds, NightOwlGPT democratizes AI technology, making it accessible to everyone—not just speakers of widely used languages. Our platform offers real-time translation, cultural insights, and interactive learning tools, empowering communities to safeguard their voices and thrive in the digital age.
NightOwlGPT is more than a tool; it’s a movement. With over 220,000 pre-signups and partnerships with NVIDIA Inception and Microsoft Founders Hub, we’re building momentum to bring this vision to life. Starting in the Philippines with languages like Tagalog, Cebuano, and Ilokano, we’re scaling globally to reach Asia, Africa, and Latin America—ensuring no language, culture, or community is left behind.
Thank you for joining us in this mission. Together, we can build a future where every voice is heard, every language is preserved, and every community is empowered to shape their own world.
Sincerely,
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Founder & Chief Future Officer, NightOwlGPT
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