What can scientists can do with AI? This algorithm matches pig sounds to their emotions
Scientists have come up with an algorithm that can decode the squeals, grunts and oinks that pigs make to help farmers improve their welfare

European scientists have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm capable of interpreting pig sounds, with the aim of creating a tool that can help farmers improve animal welfare.
The algorithm could potentially alert farmers to negative emotions in pigs, thereby improving their well-being, according to Elodie Mandel-Briefer, a behavioural biologist at Denmark’s University of Copenhagen who is co-leading the study.
While many farmers already have a good understanding of the well-being of their animals by watching them in the pig pen, existing tools mostly measure their physical condition, said Mandel-Briefer.
Once we have the tool working, farmers can have an app on their phone that can translate what their pigs are saying in terms of emotions
“Emotions of animals are central to their welfare, but we don’t measure it much on farms,” she said.