Researchers in Japan said they'd developed an AI system that could understand the emotional state of chickens, Report informs via Business Insider.
The study, which was led by University of Tokyo professor Adrian David Cheok, has yet to be peer-reviewed.
The AI system is based on a technique the researchers called "Deep Emotional Analysis Learning," which can adapt to changing vocal patterns.
The study found that the system was capable of translating "various emotional states in chickens, including hunger, fear, anger, contentment, excitement, and distress."
The study said: "Our methodology employs a cutting-edge AI technique we call Deep Emotional Analysis Learning (DEAL), a highly mathematical and innovative approach that allows for the nuanced understanding of emotional states through auditory data."
"If we know what animals are feeling, we can design a much better world for them," Cheok told the New York Post.
The researchers tested the system on 80 chickens for the study and collaborated with a team of animal psychologists and veterinarians.
The system was able to achieve surprisingly high accuracy in identifying the birds' emotional states, the study found. "The high average probabilities of detection for each emotion suggest that our model has learned to capture meaningful patterns and features from the chicken sounds," it said.
The researchers acknowledged potential limitations, including variations in breeds and the complexity of some communications, such as body language.
Scientists and researchers are also using AI tools for conservation efforts. In one case, AI tools have been implemented to help identify tracks to better understand animal populations.
In 2022, researchers led by the University of Copenhagen, the ETH Zurich, and France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment said they'd created an algorithm to help understand the emotions of pigs.