European scientists have recently developed an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm capable of decoding pig sounds, aiming to create tools that help farmers improve the quality of life for their animals.
A team of experts from Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Norway, and the Czech Republic has utilized thousands of recorded sounds from pigs in various situations, such as playing, being isolated, or competing for food. Through their research, they identified sounds that express positive or negative emotions in these animals.
A pig farm. (Illustrative photo).
According to behavioral biologist Elodie Mandel-Briefer from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) – a co-leader of the research, understanding animal language will significantly contribute to enhancing the welfare of livestock.
Although many farmers have a good understanding of their animals’ lives through observation in their enclosures, existing tools primarily measure physical conditions. The new AI algorithm not only helps farmers gain a better understanding of pig emotions but also alerts them to signs of negative feelings, thereby improving the mental well-being of these animals.
Research indicates that pigs raised in outdoor farms, with free space or in organic settings, tend to emit fewer stressful sounds compared to those raised under traditional methods. Researchers believe that once fully developed, this method could be used to label farms, making it easier for consumers to choose products.
According to the study’s results, short grunts typically indicate positive emotions, while long grunts often signal discomfort, such as when pigs jostle at feeding troughs. High-frequency sounds suggest that pigs are under stress, for example, when they are in pain, fighting, or separated from their group.
Scientists have utilized these findings to create an AI application algorithm. Ms. Mandel-Briefer stated: “AI has helped us process the large volume of sounds we collected and automatically classify the sounds.”
