Karen Bakker

Whenever I'm out doing field work or on a hike, I’ve not only got my eyes wide open, but my ears too. There’s a lot going on in a forest or under the sea - the sounds of nature. So many of those sounds in nature are about communication.Personally, I love to chat with ravens. I like to think that we have lovely conversations. I know I’m fooling myself... but there’s something happening that might change that.  There’s a tech company out of Silicon Valley that is hoping to make that dream of communicating with animals a reality. Earth Species Project is a non-profit working to develop machine learning that can decode animal language. Basically, artificial intelligence that can speak whale or monkey...or perhaps even raven?So we are doing something a bit different on The Wild today - fun to mix things up now and then. For this episode I’m not outdoors among the wild creatures, but in my home studio, talking with two fascinating people about the latest developments in technology that are being created to talk to wild animals. We’ll also explore the ethics of this technology. What are the downsides to playing the role of Digital Dr. Dolittle? Guests: Aza Raskin, co-founder of Earth Species Project and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology.Karen Bakker, professor at the University of British Columbia where she researches digital innovation and environmental governance. She also leads the Smart Earth Project.Follow us on Instagram @thewildpod and @chrismorganwildlifeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the genius of natural intelligence with topics ranging from the carnivorous Venus Fly Trap to the problem-solving skills of African dung beetles. Explore the resilience and sensitivity of plants, the intelligence in nature displayed by slime molds and crows, and how AI can learn from dragonflies. Learn about the influence of cytokines on mood, the brain-immune system connection, and decoding animal communication with AI and bioacoustics.

In this episode, Aza Raskin, co-founder of the Earth Species Project, and Karen Bakker, a UBC professor, unpack the fascinating world of animal communication through AI. They discuss how machine learning can decode non-human languages and the ethical dilemmas that arise. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between technological advances and deep listening to nature. With a focus on Indigenous data sovereignty, they emphasize the responsibility that comes with these interactions, urging for mindful engagement as we enter a new era of potential human-animal dialogue.

Karen Bakker, a conservation technology researcher, explores the use of artificial intelligence to decode animal communications. She discusses the hidden sounds of nature, including bats, orcas, peacocks, and coral larvae. The podcast touches on the potential for robots to communicate with honeybees and the ethical implications of bioacoustics in addressing the biodiversity crisis.

Karen Bakker, a Canadian scientist and author in the bioacoustic research community, discusses advancements in digital bioacoustics, the importance of listening skills, the potential of AI to understand animal vocalizations, and the commercial applications of bioacoustics in biodiversity conservation.