Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, mwanzilishi wa NightOwlGPT, ni kiongozi katika AI na uhifadhi wa lugha, akiwa na uzoefu katika serikali ya Ufilipino na kujitolea kwa ujumuishaji na maendeleo endelevu.
Kutoka katika kundi la ethnolinguistic la Karay-a, Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo ameunda njia ya kipekee kupitia ngazi za serikali, akihudumu katika utawala tofauti nne nchini Ufilipino. Wakati wa utawala wake, alihusika katika majukumu makubwa katika Programu ya Build Build Build ya Ufilipino na kama Naibu Katibu wa Wizara ya Habari na Teknolojia ya Mawasiliano. Aliacha jukumu lake la serikali ili kuendeleza elimu yake katika Shule ya Uchumi ya London na baadaye akaunda Build Initiative. Uongozi wake unachochewa na kujitolea kwa kina kwa ujumuishaji, upatikanaji, na maendeleo endelevu, huku akizingatia hasa kukabiliana na udhaifu wa nchi yake ya nyumbani kwa mabadiliko ya tabianchi.
Alihitimu kwa heshima katika Chuo Kikuu cha Ufilipino Los Baños mwaka 2012 akiwa na shahada ya Mawasiliano ya Maendeleo, ambapo alikua na wastani wa juu zaidi wa Jumla ya Alama kwa Wanafunzi wa Uandishi wa Habari za Maendeleo na kupokea Medali ya Kiwango cha Ufanisi wa Kitaaluma. Alikamilisha Elimu ya Utendaji katika Maendeleo ya Kiuchumi katika Shule ya Harvard Kennedy mwaka 2018 na programu yake ya Shahada ya Sheria katika Chuo cha Sheria cha UP mwaka 2020. Hivi sasa, anandeleza elimu yake kwa Shahada ya Uzamili ya Utendaji katika Miji katika Shule ya Uchumi ya London.
Mwaka 2023, alikua afisa wa Msaidizi wa Walinzi wa Pwani wa Ufilipino (PCGA) akiwa na cheo cha Mkomodoro Msaidizi (cheo cha nyota moja).
Amepewa tuzo ya Natatanging Iskolar Para sa Bayan na Oblation Statute kwa Fadhila za Viwanda na Ukarimu. Mwaka 2019, Chama cha Wanafunzi wa Harvard Kennedy School kilimpatia Medali ya Veritas. Alipewa jina na BluPrint kama mmoja wa wachezaji 50 wenye ushawishi mkubwa wa ASEAN, na Lifestyle Asia kama mmoja wa mabadiliko 18, na People Asia kama mmoja wa Wanawake wa Mtindo na Ufanisi wa mwaka 2019. Anaendeleza safu katika sehemu ya Op-Ed ya Manila Bulletin, Balata, People Asia na Esquire Magazine.
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
Hali ya Lugha Zinazoishi
42.6%
Lugha Hatarini
7.4%
Lugha za Kitaasisi
50%
Lugha Zenye Utulivu