Imagine a world where you could understand your pet's every meow or bark. While it may seem like science fiction, researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to decode animal language, with exciting results.
At Mystic Aquarium, researchers are studying sea lions, hoping to one day understand their complex communication. "I can definitely think of a few times where I thought man I really wish I understood or knew what they were trying to tell me," said Mairim Martinez, assistant curator of marine mammals.
Meanwhile, Project CETI, a non-profit organization, is using AI to translate the communication of sperm whales. Dr. Shane Gero, a whale biologist, explains, "Humans have been fascinated with what animals are saying for hundreds of years." Project CETI uses autonomous submarines and drones to record whale sounds, analyzing them for patterns.
The results are fascinating. Researchers have discovered that sperm whales use clicks to communicate, identifying themselves, their families, and even their origins. "That's where we are getting now, we can listen to sperm whales and predict what they are going to say next," said Dr. Gero.
This groundbreaking research has implications for conservation. Understanding animal communication can help us better protect them. "If we want to understand what animals are saying to each other why they feel the need to talk to each one another we need to know who is saying what but also where are they, when are they doing it, and who is doing it," said Dr. Gero.
While there's still much to learn, the future of animal communication research is bright. As Dr. Gero puts it, "It'll be a whole new world when we understand it."