Pigs make noise, but AI may be able to interpret their sounds and tell us what they’re feeling based on them. A group of scientists has developed an AI algorithm that can decode the emotions of pigs based on their grunts, squeals and sniffles. The research aims to help farmers understand the emotional and physical health and well-being of their animals. Learning that pigs are happy, sad, stressed or something else can help those who raise them to solve any problems affecting the animals and keep them in better conditions.
The researchers used thousands of recordings of pigs in all possible situations during their lives, right up until, in some cases, they had to go to the slaughterhouse. Every squeal and grunt was labeled and labeled depending on whether the pig was experiencing a positive or negative experience. Soon AI could determine the emotions that evoked different sounds. For example, loud squeals often mean fear or stress, while short grunts mean the pig is content.
There is a lot of high-tech equipment used to monitor the physical health of animals on modern farms. Adding their psychological fitness to the list can be a real boon for farmers. Happy pigs are healthy, and stressed pigs can be a sign of bigger problems. Happier pigs are not only good for ethical reasons; they also tend to be more valuable for meat.
Doolittle AI
The researchers believe that with enough data, this AI could eventually be adapted to understand the emotions of other animals as well. There are already efforts in that arena. The new Shazam Band utilizes AI to translate into animals. The collar around your dog or cat (or any animal) uses sensors to monitor how the animal reacts to what you say to it and their movements. AI interprets it into human language and broadcasts from speakers in the collar. Over time, it learns your pet’s communication skills and becomes more accurate.
Putting collars like that around the millions of pigs raised on farms probably isn’t practical. Still, the AI ​​algorithm could be implemented in other useful ways. The researchers are looking to create an app that uses the algorithm that farmers can use to check the temperature or keep an eye on wild animals. Then all it takes is connecting the device to a loom and thread to let the pig make its own tapestry to proclaim how awesome it is, no spider needed.