Bisaya Academic Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo Clinches AI & Learning Award at She Shapes AI

LONDON, United Kingdom — Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, a proud Bisaya founder of NightOwl AI, has been awarded the AI & Learning Award at the inaugural She Shapes AI Global Awards. The ceremony, held at University College London, celebrated her exceptional contributions to linguistic preservation and digital inclusion for marginalized communities around the world.

Angela Aristidou, UCL Professor and Stanford Digital Economy Lab Fellow, presented the award, underscoring Lamentillo’s dedication to leveraging artificial intelligence for cultural resilience. NightOwlGPT—her flagship platform—delivers real-time translation and culturally personalized learning resources, enabling communities in the Philippines, Colombia, Ghana, and Pakistan to engage in education and commerce in their native tongues.

Dr. Julia Stamm, founder of She Shapes AI, emphasized the critical role of diverse voices in shaping responsible AI: “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.”

Drawing on her Bisaya heritage, Lamentillo understands the urgency of safeguarding minority languages in an era of rapid digital change. NightOwlGPT transforms local dialects into powerful digital tools, ensuring that linguistic heritage serves as a gateway rather than a barrier to the opportunities of the digital age.

As an officially recognized affiliated event of the Paris 2025 AI Action Summit, the She Shapes AI Global Awards highlight the imperative of inclusive innovation. Lamentillo’s achievement not only spotlights the transformative potential of AI, but also reaffirms the importance of grounding technology in the lived experiences of diverse communities.