Scientists Use AI to Decode Animal Emotions

In the field of animal emotion analysis, researchers are exploring new methods using artificial intelligence technology. The approach of analyzing changes in animal facial expressions to determine their emotional state or health condition is gradually becoming a reality.

Recently, a research team has developed a system called Intellipig, which analyzes images of pigs to identify signs of pain, illness, or emotional distress, providing this information back to farmers. At the same time, another group of researchers is working on training AI to recognize discomfort through facial expressions. They have found that some animals share certain facial expression characteristics with humans, which provides a basis for interpreting their emotions.

Additionally, a study on horses showed that by comparing pre- and post-surgery facial images, as well as images before and after administering painkillers, particularly focusing on changes around the eyes, ears, and mouth, AI can autonomously learn and identify pain-related expressions with an accuracy rate of 88%. This study was based on detailed observations of animal behavior patterns, where human experts first labeled the significance of various behaviors, then used this data to train the AI system for automatic recognition.

These advancements indicate that with the help of advanced image processing techniques and deep learning algorithms, it may be possible in the future to more accurately understand the feelings and needs of animals, thereby improving their quality of life.