Source: Science.org
Finalists for the $100,000 Dolittle Prize are breaking ground in AI-powered interspecies communication, exploring how animals—from dolphins to cuttlefish—may be engaging in meaningful exchanges. The winning project focused on dolphins’ shared, learned whistles, which may act like words or warnings. Other teams are decoding the gestures of cuttlefish, the pitch-perfect replies of nightingales, and the vocal “names” of marmosets.
These AI-driven efforts aim to understand structured, two-way communication in the animals’ own terms. From robot arms mimicking cuttlefish gestures to language models predicting monkey calls, the research marks a leap forward in decoding animal intelligence. While full conversations may still be distant, scientists believe genuine exchanges—like “I’m here” or “I’m confused”—are within reach. The prize is part of the five-year, $10 million Coller Dolittle Challenge, aimed at revolutionizing how we understand and interact with the animal kingdom. Emotional and surprising moments from the field highlight just how close we may be to “cracking the code.”
Read the full story HERE: https://www.science.org/content/article/about-close-aliens-we-ll-ever-get-can-ai-crack-animal-language