Can AI Decode Animal Sounds?

Author(s): Dr. Pam Palmater

Originally published on Towards AI.

New research is exploring the ability of AI to help us understand animals

For centuries, people have asked whether animals communicate in ways that resemble human language.

The article discusses how recent advances in AI are being applied to decode animal communication, outlining projects like the Earth Species Project which aims to study and understand the vocal patterns of various animal species, including endangered ones. It highlights the capabilities of a tool called NatureLM-audio that recognizes acoustic patterns across different taxa, engaging with studies on zebra finch songs and beluga whale communications while stressing the potential implications for conservation efforts. Key considerations around ethics, animal welfare, and Indigenous governance are also addressed, including the importance of avoiding harm in playback experiments and respecting Indigenous data sovereignty. Overall, the article emphasizes the need for a balanced approach in using AI for understanding animal languages and protecting ecosystems.

Read the full blog for free on Medium.

Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming a sponsor.

Published via Towards AI