Click Here AI and the secret lives of whales
Jan 13, 2026
Discover the fascinating intersection of marine biology and AI as a researcher seeks to decode humpback whale communication. This journey begins with whale sounds that spark curiosity and empathy dating back to the 1970s. Learn about the challenges of isolating individual whale voices amidst ocean noise and how advanced AI models help unravel the complexities of their calls. From social greetings to foraging tactics, these insights could transform conservation efforts, prompting profound reflections on our responsibility towards these majestic creatures.
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Whale‑Watching Job Sparked a Scientific Quest
- Michelle Fournay first encountered whales while working on an Alaska whale‑watching boat and listening on a hydrophone.
- That experience sparked her quest to understand whale communication and build a translation tool.
Years Of Recordings Were Collected Intentionally
- Michelle earned a Ph.D. in wildlife science and returned to the water to record years of humpback vocalizations.
- She aimed to collect long‑term data to detect patterns and begin translating whale calls.
AI Solves The Underwater Cocktail‑Party Problem
- Underwater recordings include many overlapping sounds, creating a 'cocktail party' problem for isolating individual whales.
- Daniel Woodridge built an AI model to separate noises and successfully isolate whale calls from years of tape.