AI Detects Goat Pain Just by Looking at Their Faces!
AI in Animal Welfare
Detecting pain in animals has always been a challenge. Signs such as sounds or changes in appetite can indicate pain, but determining the level of distress is often subjective and requires experience. Scientists are exploring how AI can help by recognizing patterns in animals’ facial expressions. Drawing inspiration from tools like Google Lens, which identify visual elements, researchers are developing algorithms to detect signs of pain.
Goat Studies and Potential Applications
Researchers conducted studies on goats, analyzing the facial expressions of 40 subjects in various states of well-being. By inputting this data into an AI model, they trained the system to identify expressions of pain with an accuracy ranging from 62% to 80%. Although more data can improve accuracy, the results show promise for future applications in animals and non-verbal patients, such as young children.
Productivity Implications
Ludovica Chiavaccini, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Florida, emphasizes that detecting pain in animals is crucial for their welfare and productivity. “Animals in pain experience weight loss and decreased productivity,” she explained. AI tools offer a fast and efficient way to assess animals, enhancing both productivity and care.
