FT News Briefing Can AI help us speak to animals? Part one
Sep 23, 2023
In this engaging discussion, Aza Raskin, a technologist and founder of the Earth Species Project, dives into the fascinating world of animal communication. He explores how cutting-edge recording devices and AI technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of animal sounds. From deciphering the complex social structure of sperm whales to decoding gelada monkey calls, Raskin discusses the potential for interspecies dialogue. He raises important questions about the ethics of AI in nature and hints at a future where we might actually converse with animals.
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Sperm Whale Families
- Shane Garrow, a marine biologist, has been studying sperm whales for over two decades.
- He's so familiar with them that he's given names to the whale families, like Pinchy and Fingers.
Sperm Whale Communication
- Sperm whales communicate using clicking sounds called codas, not whale songs.
- These clicks are used for echolocation and communication.
Coda Dialects
- Sperm whale codas resemble Morse code with specific rhythms and tempos.
- Different clans of sperm whales have unique coda dialects, like the 1+1+3 or the 5R.
