LONDON, United Kingdom 鈥� Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, founder of NightOwlGPT, has been awarded the AI & Learning Award at the inaugural She Shapes AI Global Awards, recognizing her groundbreaking work in linguistic preservation and digital inclusion for marginalized communities worldwide.
Presenting the award at University College London (UCL) was UCL Professor and Stanford聽Digital Economy Lab and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centred AI Fellow Angela Aristidou, who highlighted Lamentillo鈥檚 commitment to leveraging AI to preserve linguistic and cultural diversity in the Philippines. She noted how NightOwlGPT is a testament to how AI can be both grassroots and scalable, ensuring that marginalized communities have the tools to participate in the digital age. By using AI to bridge gaps in accessibility and representation, Lamentillo鈥檚 work is driving real-world impact where it matters most.
The She Shapes AI Global Awards celebrate women leaders driving responsible AI innovation, spanning fields such as education, democracy, peacebuilding, environmental sustainability, and media transparency. The winners were selected by the She Shapes AI Global Award Council, composed of international experts, entrepreneurs, and AI leaders.
Dr. Julia Stamm, founder of She Shapes AI, underscored the importance of recognizing women who are using AI to create a more just and inclusive future.
鈥淲e 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,鈥� said Stamm. 鈥淏y 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 鈥� and that business success and doing 鈥榞ood鈥� are not mutually exclusive.鈥�
Empowering marginalized communities through AI
Lamentillo鈥檚 winning project, NightOwlGPT, is an AI-driven platform designed to preserve endangered languages and promote digital literacy. The technology provides real-time translation and culturally relevant learning tools, helping indigenous and marginalized communities鈥攊ncluding those in the Philippines, Colombia, Ghana, and Pakistan鈥攁ccess educational and economic opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
Growing up as a member of the Karay-a ethnolinguistic group, Lamentillo understands firsthand the urgency of protecting cultural heritage in the face of digital homogenization. Her work ensures that language is not a barrier but a bridge to education and participation in the global economy.
Recognizing women shaping AI for good
Lamentillo joins five other visionary women honored at the She Shapes AI Global Awards, each demonstrating how AI can be a force for positive change:
- Alicia Combaz (AI & Democracy Award)鈥揊ounder and CEO of Make.org, empowering over 10 million citizens to shape public policy through AI-powered civic engagement,
- Branka Panic (AI & Peace Award)鈥揊ounder of AI for Peace, pioneering AI solutions to combat hate speech, enhance human rights investigations, and improve early warning systems in conflict zones,
- Diana Gutierrez (AI & Nature Award)鈥揊ounder and CEO of Optim.ai, developing GreenIMPACT Calculator, a tool that helps AI developers quantify and reduce their environmental footprint,
- Jenny Romano (AI & Media Award)鈥揅ofounder and CEO of The 黑料社room, building AI tools that help journalists verify and map information, reducing research time while ensuring accuracy and transparency,,
- Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams (AI & Thought Leadership Award) 鈥� A global expert in responsible AI policy and ethics, leading efforts to implement ethical AI frameworks and engage policymakers worldwide.
A step toward a more equitable AI future
The She Shapes AI Awards are an officially recognized affiliated event of the Paris 2025 AI Action Summit, reinforcing the need for diverse voices in shaping global AI policy and innovation.
Lamentillo鈥檚 win highlights a growing movement toward AI-driven solutions that prioritize people, planet, and progress. By bridging grassroots initiatives with scalable technology, she and her fellow awardees are proving that AI鈥檚 future must be inclusive to be truly transformative.