Scientists are trying to use AI to "talk" to animals

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to analyze animal communication, with researchers attempting to identify patterns in the sounds made by dogs, dolphins, elephants, and other species. While the technology can process vast amounts of data that would be impossible to analyze manually, scientists warn that this does not mean AI can currently "translate" animal language, reports The Guardian.

• From sounds to communication patterns

AI enables researchers to analyze millions of recordings and identify patterns that might go unnoticed by the human ear. However, when it comes to animals, simply identifying a sound is not enough to determine its meaning. According to Professor Rytis Maskeliunas of the Kaunas University of Technology's Faculty of Informatics, research in this field is well-established, yet the actual translation of animal communication remains far from the level sometimes suggested by commercial apps or popular media coverage. Researchers are attempting to correlate sounds with the situations in which they are produced, the specific animal being addressed, and the behavior that follows. Thus, the goal is not merely to identify a "word," but to understand how communication functions within a given context.

A dog's bark, a dolphin's whistle, or a sound made by an elephant may contain information not directly accessible to humans. AI can detect statistical regularities in these signals, but linking a specific sound to a precise meaning requires behavioral observation and field research. Experts cited by The Guardian point out that the idea of "talking to animals" may appeal to the public but risks creating expectations that current research cannot support. Researchers also emphasize that automated analysis must remain a tool for scientists, not a substitute for direct observation of animals and the study of their behavior.

• The risk of technology altering animal behavior

A less obvious issue arises when AI systems are used not just to listen to animals, but to respond to them. According to The Guardian, researchers warn that using systems capable of generating or reproducing animal sounds for entertainment purposes could disrupt natural animal behavior. Without clear ethical guidelines, technology could turn animal communication into a tool for commercial interaction or entertainment before humans sufficiently understand what the animals are trying to convey. As AI becomes more proficient at identifying patterns, researchers face a more complex question: if we become better at interpreting animal communication, what will we do with that information? For scientists, the goal is to use technology to better understand the behavior and needs of various species. For the public, however, the temptation is to turn every sound analyzed by an algorithm into a supposed "translation." For now, the distinction between the two remains significant. AI can help humans discover patterns in animal communication, but researchers warn that we are still far from the point where a computer could say with certainty what a dog, a dolphin, or an elephant is "saying."