Unlocking the Hidden Language of Chickens: Scientists Harness AI to Decode Their Communication

Deciphering the language of animals is a dream for many people, and now, thanks to artificial intelligence, that dream could become a reality. Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed a system that can understand the emotions of chickens based on their vocalizations.

Imagine waking up to the crowing of a rooster and actually understanding what it’s trying to communicate. This research project by scientists from the University of Tokyo aims to decode the language of chickens and uncover their emotional states, including hunger, fear, anger, contentment, excitement, and distress.

The system developed by the researchers relies on artificial intelligence, specifically Deep Emotional Analysis Learning (DEAL), which uses complex mathematical algorithms to interpret emotional states through sounds. By analyzing the vocalizations of 80 chickens and collaborating with animal psychologists and veterinarians, the scientists were able to train their model to accurately identify different emotional states in the chickens.

This breakthrough research not only has implications for animal welfare and veterinary medicine but also for poultry farming and interactions with the animal kingdom as a whole. The researchers believe that understanding what animals are feeling can lead to a better world for them.

“It’s a cluckin’ great leap for science!” said Prof. Adrian David Cheok, the research lead. “And this is just the beginning. We hope to extend these AI and ML techniques to other animals and revolutionize the various animal-related industries.”