Summary
Scientists are using machine learning to build a program that can decipher animal communication. The Earth Species Project (ESP) is a nonprofit organization working on creating this tool. The aim is to recognize the signals animals make in certain situations, which has huge implications for conservation and human-wildlife interactions.
Highlights
- Scientists are using machine learning to decipher animal communication
- The Earth Species Project (ESP) is developing a tool to recognize signals animals make in certain situations
- The program has huge implications for conservation and human-wildlife interactions
- The tool could work like a ChatGPT for animals
- The potential benefits for conservation remain huge, including predicting mass whale beachings and revealing the impacts of offshore wind turbines
FAQ
Can animals learn language like humans do?
Scientists are working on building a program to decipher animal communication, but the aim isn’t necessarily to unlock the “language” that a specific species uses to communicate. The tool is meant to recognize the signals animals make in certain situations.
What are the implications for conservation?
A better understanding of animal communication has huge implications for conservation and human-wildlife interactions. For example, predicting mass whale beachings and revealing the impacts of offshore wind turbines can help with conservation efforts.
Is there a dark side to teaching humans how to better commune with animals?
There may be a dark side to teaching humans how to better commune with animals. Poachers are already using recorded playbacks of mating sounds to lure colorful songbirds like yellow cardinals into traps. It’s imperative to consider the use of this technology and try to mitigate bad consequences.
Conclusion
Machine learning is being used to build a program that can decipher animal communication. The Earth Species Project (ESP) is working on creating this tool. The program has huge implications for conservation and human-wildlife interactions, including predicting mass whale beachings and revealing the impacts of offshore wind turbines.