Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo
Si Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, tagapagtatag ng NightOwlGPT, ay isang lider sa AI at pangangalaga ng wika, na may background sa gobyerno ng Pilipinas at isang pangako sa inclusivity at napapanatiling pag-unlad.
Bilang nagmula sa etnolinguistic na grupo ng Karay-a, si Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo ay nakapag-ukit ng natatanging landas sa mga ranggo ng gobyerno, na nagsilbi sa loob ng apat na magkaibang administrasyon sa Pilipinas. Kasama sa kanyang mga tungkulin ang mga mahalagang papel sa Build Build Build Program ng Pilipinas at bilang Undersecretary ng Department of Information and Communications Technology. Iniwan niya ang kanyang tungkulin sa gobyerno upang ipagpatuloy ang kanyang pag-aaral sa London School of Economics at kalaunan ay itinatag ang Build Initiative. Ang kanyang pamumuno ay pinapagana ng malalim na pangako sa inklusibidad, accessibility, at sustainable development, na may partikular na pokus sa pagtugon sa mga kahinaan ng kanyang bansang sinilangan sa mga pagbabago sa klima.
Nagtapos siya cum laude sa University of the Philippines Los Baños noong 2012 na may digri sa Development Communications, kung saan nakamit niya ang pinakamataas na General Weighted Average para sa mga Major sa Development Journalism at tumanggap ng Faculty Medal para sa Academic Excellence. Nakumpleto niya ang kanyang Executive Education sa Economic Development sa Harvard Kennedy School noong 2018 at ang kanyang Juris Doctor program sa UP College of Law noong 2020. Sa kasalukuyan, siya ay nagpapatuloy ng kanyang pag-aaral sa isang Executive MSc in Cities sa London School of Economics.
Noong 2023, siya ay naging opisyal ng Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) na may ranggo ng Auxiliary Commodore (one-star rank).
Siya ay ginawaran ng Natatanging Iskolar Para sa Bayan at Oblation Statute para sa mga Virtudes ng Industriya at Magandang Loob. Noong 2019, pinarangalan siya ng Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association ng Veritas Medal. Siya ay kinilala ng BluPrint bilang isa sa 50 ASEAN movers and shakers, ng Lifestyle Asia bilang isa sa 18 Game Changers, at ng People Asia bilang isa sa 2019’s Women of Style and Substance. Siya ay may kolum sa Op-Ed section ng Manila Bulletin, Balata, People Asia, at 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
Kalagayan ng mga Buhay na Wika
42.6%
Mga Nanganganib na Wika
7.4%
Mga Institusyonal na Wika
50%
Matatag na Wika