I am writing this column while on the train from Oxford University to the UCL Campus in Canary Wharf, reflecting on the meaningful journey that has led to today’s milestone: being recognized as a winner of the inaugural She Shapes AI Award for AI & Learning. It is a humbling honor that reaffirms my lifelong commitment to ensuring that technology—AI in particular—serves the most marginalized and underrepresented communities around the globe.
My path to AI and learning
As someone who grew up as part of the Karay-a ethnolinguistic community, I’ve experienced firsthand how language barriers can prevent entire populations from accessing educational opportunities. Early in my career, I saw the potential for technology to close these gaps—yet I also saw that many of the AI-driven solutions developed by well-funded institutions weren’t reaching those who needed them most. That realization spurred me to create NightOwlGPT: a platform designed to provide real-time translation and culturally relevant learning experiences to underserved communities in the Philippines, Colombia, Ghana, and Pakistan.
The success of NightOwlGPT hinges on its ability to adapt local knowledge and indigenous practices into AI-driven curricula. By placing the needs of these communities at the forefront, we have managed to connect people across vast geographic and cultural distances, empowering them to share their stories, preserve their languages, and uplift their economic prospects. Seeing people from remote corners of the Philippines or rural Ghana using our platform for the first time—sometimes the first time they have ever accessed any digital learning tool—remains the greatest motivation for me and my team.
She Shapes AI
Receiving the She Shapes AI Award feels like joining a movement of powerful, visionary women who are harnessing AI for social good. The initiative celebrates leadership in responsible AI across multiple categories—from democracy and peacebuilding to sustainability and media innovation. Together with five other remarkable women, we stand at the forefront of a collective effort to redefine what AI can be: an enabler of democratic values, a catalyst for environmental stewardship, a protector of civil liberties, and a tool for expanding knowledge and opportunity.
At a time when public debate on AI often centers on big-tech dominance or sensational warnings, it is encouraging to see a global platform that highlights how AI can—and should—be used to strengthen democracy, ensure transparency, and tackle pressing social inequities. She Shapes AI has cultivated a supportive community for professionals who believe that harnessing AI for profit does not need to come at the expense of ethical principles.
Why this matters right now
We’re at a critical juncture where AI is increasingly embedded in everyday life, from online learning tools to complex systems influencing government policy. As Dr. Julia Stamm, the founder of She Shapes AI, rightly notes, we must strive for a future where AI is shaped by many voices, not a privileged few. That approach is especially vital for populations historically left out of the conversation, including indigenous groups and rural communities that have lacked reliable internet access or formal infrastructure.
In many respects, AI is only as good as the data and voices that feed it. If it is to be a genuine force for good, we must continue to advocate for inclusive datasets that capture the linguistic and cultural richness of communities everywhere. This award reaffirms that the work my team and I do—amplifying local voices, preserving endangered languages, and creating culturally relevant curricula—holds a valuable place in the global AI landscape.
Looking ahead
Tonight, as I head to UCL for the awards ceremony—an officially recognized event affiliated with the Paris 2025 AI Action Summit—I am filled with gratitude and determination. Gratitude for this recognition and for the countless community leaders, linguists, and technologists who have supported my vision. Determination because there is still a formidable task ahead: bridging persistent digital divides, promoting equitable access to AI, and ensuring that the next generation of innovators, particularly young women, see themselves as creators of powerful technology rather than just consumers.
A collective achievement
This award is not mine alone. It belongs to every mother teaching her child the languages of our ancestors, every local leader championing digital literacy, and every member of the NightOwlGPT team who believes that AI can indeed be accessible, fair, and culturally relevant. It also belongs to the broader movement of women who are shaping AI to serve humanity—women who, like me, have chosen to harness technology to build bridges rather than walls.
As I step off this train and prepare for an evening of celebration and reflection, I remind myself that awards are both recognition and responsibility. The future of AI must be rooted in empathy, inclusivity, and a reverence for human potential. If we get this right, we can create a world where AI does not simply replicate existing biases or serve the privileged—but becomes a tool to empower everyone, from the Karay-a in the Philippines to communities across the globe.