Pigs are loud, but AI may be able to interpret their sounds and tell us what they’re feeling. A group of scientists has developed an AI algorithm that can decode the emotions of pigs based on their grunts, squeaks and snorts. The research is intended to give farmers insight into 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 they may have and keep them in better conditions.
The researchers used thousands of recordings of pigs in a variety of situations throughout their lives, sometimes even up to slaughter. Each squeak and grunt was tagged and labeled depending on whether the pig had a positive or negative experience. The AI was soon able to determine the emotions that different sounds evoked. For example, high-pitched squeaks often indicate fear or stress, while short grunts mean the pig is content.
A lot of high-tech equipment is used to monitor the physical health of animals on modern farms. Adding their psychological fitness to the list could be a real boon for farmers. Happy pigs are healthy, and stressed pigs can be a sign of bigger problems. Happier pigs aren’t just good for ethical reasons; they’re also often more valuable for meat.
Doolitle AI
The researchers believe that with enough data, this AI could eventually be adapted to understand the emotions of other animals. There are already attempts at this. The new Shazam Band uses AI to translate for animals. Your dog or cat (or other animal) collar uses sensors to monitor how the animal responds to what you say to it and its movements. The AI translates that into human language and broadcasts it through speakers in the collar. Over time, it learns your pet’s communication skills and becomes more accurate.
Placing such collars on the millions of pigs raised on farms is probably not practical. Still, the AI algorithm could be used in other useful ways. The researchers want to create an app that uses the algorithm to help farmers check temperatures or keep an eye on wild animals. Then all you have to do is connect the device to a loom and thread, and the pig can make its own carpet to show off how awesome it is. No spider required.