Children Spotlight of the Week: Emma Yang
At just 17, Emma Yang has redefined what it means to be a changemaker, innovator, and advocate in the modern era. Born in Hong Kong and currently residing in New York, Emma is the Founder of Timeless, a groundbreaking mobile app that uses AI and facial recognition to help Alzheimer’s patients stay engaged and connected with their loved ones. Since its inception in 2016, Timeless has garnered global recognition, winning prestigious awards such as the MIT Solve Brain Health Challenge and the Women Startup Challenge Grand Prize.
Emma’s journey as a prodigy began early. By 13, she was the youngest Solver ever at MIT Solve, competing against nearly 1,000 teams from 103 countries. Her achievements include the Aspirin Social Innovation Award from Bayer Foundations and recognition from global platforms like Fast Company, BBC, and Inc. Magazine.
An avid coder and passionate advocate for technology as a tool for social change, Emma encourages girls to explore STEM fields. In 2015, she won first place in the US and second place globally at the Technovation Challenge, a global technology entrepreneurship competition for girls. Emma has been named one of New York’s 10 Under 20 Young Innovators to Watch, one of the 100 Faces of Impact, and a World Science Scholar, showcasing her relentless commitment to excellence and innovation.
Emma is not just a tech innovator; she is also a celebrated TEDx Speaker, a 3-time performer at Carnegie Hall, and a SupChina NextGen Rising Female Star Award recipient. She has been featured on global platforms like the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai, Talks at Google, and the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona. Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, Emma is also learning Latin, French, and Ancient Greek, aiming to connect with as many people as possible.
Emma’s work with Timeless represents her belief that technology should solve real-world problems and empower underserved communities. She continues to advocate for the elderly and works tirelessly to break barriers for women and girls in STEM. In her free time, Emma enjoys photography, knitting, biking, and exploring diverse cultural perspectives.
