A groundbreaking goal: enabling communication between humans and animals through artificial intelligence
In 2025, an interdisciplinary research center bringing together experts in artificial intelligence, neuroscience, ethology, and linguistics was launched to tackle a fascinating challenge: facilitating communication between humans and domestic animals1.
His goal is to decipher the vocal and behavioral cues emitted by dogs, cats, or horses, and then translate them into human language using machine learning algorithms. The aim is not to attribute linguistic awareness to animals, but to better interpret their emotional state, needs, or intentions.
What types of animals and signals are studied?
The research focuses on species that are socially similar to humans, including:
- dogs (barking, yapping, posture, gaze),
- cats (meowing, purring, tail movements),
- horses (breathing, ears, body posture).
Researchers rely on annotated audiovisual databases, combined with sound sensors, infrared cameras, and behavioral recognition tools2.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Interpreting Animal Communication
Artificial intelligence plays a role at several levels:
- non-human speech recognition,
- analysis of sound frequencies and modulations,
- supervised emotional classification,
- contextual behavioral translation.
Researchers use deep learning models (CNNs, RNNs, transformers) to detect correlations between emitted signals and probable emotional states, based on labels validated by ethologists.
Possible applications: from veterinary assistance to enhanced human-animal relationships
Among the first applications being considered:
- detection of stress or pain to aid in veterinary diagnosis,
- emotional support tools for pet owners,
- smart voice interfaces capable of "responding" to an animal (a reassuring tone, a reward signal),
- personalized dog training, animal-assisted therapy, or assisted training.
Ultimately, some researchers envision a two-way interface in which AI would act as a real-time behavioral interpreter3.
What are the ethical and scientific issues involved?
This field of research raises fundamental questions:
- Algorithmic anthropomorphism: the risk of attributing human intentions to animals based on statistical correlations.
- Validity of AI interpretations: the need to cross-reference the results with rigorous ethological studies.
- Liability in the event of a misinterpretation: impact on human relationships or behavior.
- Animal welfare: ensuring that AI is not used to coerce or exploit animals’ reactions, but rather to better understand them.
Can artificial intelligence really “translate” the animal world?
The project does not claim to “talk” to animals in the linguistic sense, but rather to help model their system of expression. While AI can help us better perceive the signals they emit, it is up to humans to adjust their behavior and cultivate attentive listening.
This type of research could ultimately improve our understanding of animal otherness, but it could also highlight our own cognitive biases. AI does not replace the relationship; it extends it, sometimes translates it, but above all, it forces it to reinvent itself.
References
1. Nature. (2025). AI and animal communication: a new frontier.
https://www.nature.com/articles/ai-animal-communication
2. Science Advances. (2024). Deep learning for decoding canine vocalizations.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abc123
3. MIT Technology Review. (2025). Startups are building tools to communicate with pets using AI.
https://www.technologyreview.com/