Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, Founder and Chief Future Officer of NightOwlGPT, attended the One Young World Global Summit 2024 in Montréal, Canada, as one of the five recipients of the prestigious ImpactAI Scholarship, awarded by The BrandTech Group. The summit, held from September 18 to 21, brought together young leaders from over 190 countries to accelerate social impact on a global scale.
Lamentillo, from the Karay-a ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines, leads NightOwlGPT, a revolutionary AI-driven desktop and mobile application designed to preserve endangered languages and bridge the digital divide in marginalized communities worldwide. With nearly half of all living languages—3,045 out of 7,164—endangered, and up to 95 percent at risk of extinction by the end of the century, NightOwlGPT is a vital tool in safeguarding linguistic heritage. The platform offers real-time translation, cultural competence, and interactive learning tools, empowering users to thrive in the digital landscape. While the initial pilot focuses on the Philippines, the project’s broader strategy targets global expansion across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, aiming to protect linguistic diversity worldwide.
Reflecting on the summit and her project’s mission, Lamentillo said, “As someone from the Karay-a ethnolinguistic group, I know firsthand the importance of preserving our languages and heritage. With NightOwlGPT, we are not just saving languages—we’re empowering communities to participate in the digital future. The One Young World Summit has given us the global platform and network to further our mission.”
At the summit, Lamentillo was joined by four other ImpactAI scholars, each leading impactful projects in their respective fields:
- Joshua Wintersgill, Founder of easyTravelseat.com and ableMove UK, envisions an accessible aviation industry for people with disabilities.
- Rebecca Daniel, Director of The Marine Diaries, transformed her student-led initiative into a global non-profit focused on connecting people with the ocean and driving ocean action.
- Hikaru Hayakawa, Executive Director of Climate Cardinals, leads one of the world’s largest youth-led climate advocacy organizations, with thousands of volunteers across 82 countries.
- Hammed Kayode Alabi, Founder and CEO of Skill2Rural Bootcamp, runs an AI-driven course preparing underserved youth and migrants in the UK and Africa for the workforce.
These scholars were selected for their commitment to creating positive social and environmental impact, as well as their vision of integrating generative AI into their work.
With the conclusion of the One Young World Global Summit 2024, Lamentillo and her fellow scholars join the prestigious One Young World Ambassador Community, a global network of over 17,000 leaders dedicated to driving positive change. Through NightOwlGPT, Lamentillo continues to leverage AI technology to bridge the digital divide and protect the cultural and linguistic heritage of marginalized communities worldwide.