AI Decodes Animals’ Secret Language!
Since Darwin, the idea that animals can express emotions through their faces has captivated scientists and nature lovers. Now, with the help of technology, artificial intelligence systems can interpret the expressions of dogs, cats, or pigs to determine if they are in pain or discomfort. This advancement could revolutionize the way we care for animals in farms, clinics, and homes.
From human instinct to the eye of the machine
Back in 1872, Darwin suggested that mammals and humans shared a common emotional expression. Today, this intuition has evolved into algorithms trained with thousands of images. These systems can detect subtle variations that even experienced veterinarians might miss, accurately identifying signs of pain or stress.
In the UK, cameras on farms can now observe pigs as they approach the feeder. These cameras not only recognize each pig individually but also adjust their feed and alert caregivers if any signs of discomfort are detected.
A global network of projects
The race to develop AI systems for animal expression recognition is not limited to Europe. In Israel, computer scientist Anna Zamansky started with software to reunite lost pets and now applies AI to analyze the expressions of dogs and cats. In Brazil, a system trained with images of post-surgery horses achieved an impressive 88% accuracy in pain detection. In Sweden, another tool uncovered signs that had previously gone unnoticed even by experts.
However, there are limits and ethical challenges to consider. The algorithms can be seen as a “black box,” providing results without explaining the features they are based on. To address this, some teams use heat maps to indicate which areas of the face are being analyzed, such as the eyes, mouth, or nose.
Despite the potential impact of AI on animal welfare, researchers emphasize that artificial intelligence should be a tool to support human judgment, not replace it. Factors like posture and social interaction are crucial in assessing animal well-being, and cannot be solely determined by facial expressions.
Nonetheless, the future looks promising. With the ability to read a dog’s frustration or a cat’s serenity through a camera lens, we may be embarking on a new era of communication with other species.
