In an interview, veterinarian Jess French discusses the potential for humans to communicate with animals using artificial intelligence (AI). French believes that AI could revolutionize the veterinary practice and provide a deeper understanding of animal communication. By training AI to analyze thousands of data points and footage of animal interactions, it could surpass human abilities to perceive signals that are not visible to us. French predicts that the veterinary practice of the future will be vastly different and looks forward to seeing the advancements in the year 2050. AI could help understand communication in various animals, such as dogs, rabbits, snakes, fish, and cats, and potentially learn about animals’ experiences with humans. However, it is also acknowledged that animals may communicate messages that humans may not want to hear.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI could enable communication with animals | Communication methods | Veterinary practice with enhanced AI tools | Desire to understand animal communication |
| AI could decipher animal sounds and signals | Understanding animal communication | Improved ability to interpret animal messages | Advancements in AI technology |
| AI could help understand the communication of rabbits | Insights into non-domesticated prey animals | Improved understanding of rabbit behavior | Desire to understand hidden rabbit emotions |
| AI could understand the body language of cats | Improved understanding of cat language | Better communication with feline companions | Desire to communicate with cats more effectively |
| AI could enable humans to learn about animals globally | Enhanced knowledge about animals | Increased awareness of animal experiences | Desire to gain insights from animals worldwide |
| Potential for hearing first-hand accounts from animals | Gaining insights from animals | Deeper understanding of animal experiences | Desire for human to animal communication |