A devastating restaurant fire in San Jose, California, has sparked an innovative solution from an unlikely source—a 14-year-old entrepreneur. Shanya Gill founded Vigil Inc., an AI technology company focused on early fire detection, after witnessing the destruction of a restaurant behind her home in 2022.
Despite having functional smoke detectors and proper safety equipment, the restaurant couldn’t prevent significant damage. This incident revealed a critical flaw: traditional smoke detectors respond too slowly to prevent catastrophic losses.
Self-Taught Coding Leads to Award-Winning Innovation
Gill taught herself to code and leveraged ChatGPT to develop her fire detection solution. Her efforts earned recognition when she won the prestigious Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, validating her approach to improving fire safety technology.
The young innovator identified a gap in existing fire prevention systems. While add-ons for stoves and heating equipment exist, they’re often prohibitively expensive and difficult to integrate with existing infrastructure. Gill’s solution aims to provide faster, more accessible fire detection for businesses and homes.
Mass Production on the Horizon
Founded in 2025, Vigil Inc. represents a new generation of safety technology companies. Gill plans to begin mass production of her fire detection system by the end of 2025, potentially transforming how businesses and homeowners protect their properties.
Her story demonstrates how artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT are democratizing entrepreneurship, enabling young innovators to turn observations into viable business solutions. As fire safety remains a critical concern for commercial and residential properties, Gill’s technology could save lives and prevent millions in property damage nationwide.