Using Artificial Intelligence to Understand Animal Communication

New field of digital bioacoustics uses portable field recorders that are like mini microphones. Researchers can apply natural language processing algorithms to detect patterns in these recordings and begin to decode what animals might be saying to each other. One of the coolest things is that bat mothers use their own version of motheries with their young. This makes the bat babies babble back, and it might help them learn specific quote-unquote words or referential sounds.