November 1, 2024
European scientists develop AI to decode swine calls, aiding in animal welfare
A newly developed artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, created by European scientists, is set to assist farmers in decoding swine vocalisations, providing insight into the emotional states of animals and ultimately enhancing their welfare, Business Magazine reported.
A team of researchers from Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Norway, and the Czech Republic collaborated to collect thousands of swine sounds in various contexts, such as during play, isolation, or food competition. Through this process, the researchers identified calls that reflect positive and negative emotional states in swine.
Elodie Mandel-Briefer, a behavioural biologist from the University of Copenhagen and co-lead of the study, highlighted that understanding animal "language" could significantly contribute to improving the quality of life for livestock. She emphasised that decoding these vocalisations could bring a new level of understanding to animal welfare in the farming industry.
Despite the extensive experience many farmers have in observing animal behaviour in breeding environments, most modern tools primarily focus on measuring the physical health of animals. The new AI algorithm, however, gives farmers an advanced understanding of swine emotional states and sends alerts when it detects negative indicators, supporting both physical and psychological welfare in livestock.
The study further found that swine raised on outdoor farms, such as free-range or organic setups, tended to make fewer stress-induced sounds compared to those in conventional farming systems. Researchers believe that, once perfected, this method could aid in farm classification and labelling, providing consumers with more informed choices when selecting products.
Analysis of swine vocalisations revealed that shorter cries often signify positive emotions, while longer squeals tend to indicate discomfort, such as when swine compete for food. High-frequency sounds generally signal stress, triggered by circumstances like injury, fighting, or separation from their group.
Based on these findings, scientists have developed an AI algorithm capable of practical applications for farmers. "AI has helped us not only to process the large volume of audio we collected but also to categorise the sounds automatically," said Mandel-Briefer.
- Business Magazine