Translating Dolphin’s Language To Human-Understandable Language

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence is at it again. Before now, we have seen a portable device that can translate over 40 different human languages in real time. But I believe that technology is not satisfied with this feat; now the world is about to witness the translation of animal languages into human-understandable language in real-time, and the test subject chosen for this research is the dolphin.

[Image Source: Pixabay]

Earlier this month, we witnessed Wikie the orca being taught to speak human languages like: “Hello”, “one, two”. But we have not been able to decipher what exactly animals say when they communicate; and this is the objective for this research. Believe me, we are getting to a point in history where humans and animals would have decent conversation. 

Introducing the language analysis software

This particular research was heralded by a Swedish AI company; Gavagai AB, in conjunction with KTH Royal Institute of Technology. This research was leveraged on the existing technology which was created by Gavagai AI to be able to translate over 40 human languages in real-time. But a proposition was made to expand the scope of the technology to accommodate animal (dolphin) language.

The Bottlenose Dolphin (Thursiops spp.) was chosen for this research, the reason being that; it has been observed that this particular dolphin has a high level of intelligence, and also the ability of self-recognition.

Observation was made to the bottlenose dolphins by the team of researchers using an AI language analysis technology to study the communication pattern, and to collect the sounds given off at the instance of some simulated situation (for example; during feeding, the sound given off is recorded and linked to food). After these wide ranges of data are collected at interval, they will be systematically studied. The AI would be able to decipher what the dolphins are trying to communicate.

[Image Source: Pexels]

Here’s what one of the lead researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Professor Jussi Karlgren (who also co-founded Gavagai AB) said:

It is evident that dolphins have very complex system of communication, but we are making plans to understand this language with the help of AI. – Professor Jussi Karlgren. Source [paraphrased by me]

As seen from their research, one of the ways through which this AI is set to achieve this is by the analysis and comparison of various emotions and body languages of the test subjects in relation to the particular situation induced.

You may have been aware of these very unique features of dolphins’ communication, but for the benefits of those that don’t know, I would run it down quickly:

• Most dolphins can communicate; especially in locating mates; using a signature whistle.
• They are echolocative. They use sound to navigate. They make clicking sound, and measure the reverberation of the sound. This ability also helps them to find food.

These features are also what the AI is hoping to study, and using the analysis to decipher the communication pattern of the dolphin.

Going beyond AI

AI has gone way advanced lately that almost every natural course can be simulated artificially. The world is about to see another breakthrough in the field of AI.

Some could ask what would be the benefit of this research. Actually, the potentials are enormous. We have seen dolphins in military, as they were trained by the US Navy seal team for combat purposes. But the Navy seal teams have heavily relied on the body languages and signs of the dolphins to be able to detect the responses of dolphins to instructions.

[Image Source: Wikimedia Commons]

No doubt, with this research, they would be able to decipher what the dolphins are actually saying, with some degrees of precision. Isn’t this amazing?

The future could witness this AI being applied to other animals too (who wouldn’t want to communicate with animals? Lol). Or maybe this could be the preparation that humans need to get themselves ready in the case of alien invasion, or contact with ET species. This could help us figure out ways to communicate with them.

Conclusion

Amazing feats have been seen in the area of AI as it is evident in animal-human language translation. Just like I always tell people:

In this era, the word “impossible” does not exist

Humorously, since we would be able to know what dolphins are saying, an AI should also be designed for these dolphins so that they can know what we are saying :D (But too weird, humans have many languages, so which language would it translate to the dolphin? Maybe “Naija pidgin language” would suffice too)

Thanks for reading

References for further reading: Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, Ref4, Ref5

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