Researchers are training artificial intelligence to interpret animal emotions, potentially offering new insights into their well-being.
A growing number of AI-driven projects are working to recognize signs of pain, discomfort, and distress in animals by analyzing their facial expressions and behaviors.
One such system, called Intellipig, is being developed by scientists at the University of the West of England Bristol and Scotland’s Rural College.
It scans photos of pigs’ faces to detect signs of pain or illness, helping farmers monitor their health more effectively.
Meanwhile, a team at the University of Haifa—known for creating facial recognition software that helps reunite lost dogs with their owners—is now training AI to identify signs of discomfort in dogs, whose facial movements overlap with humans by 38%.
These AI models initially rely on human experts to label different expressions and behaviors, but some are now learning independently.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo tested an AI system on photos of horses taken before and after surgery, as well as before and after receiving painkillers. By analyzing subtle changes in their eyes, ears, and mouths, the AI identified signs of pain with an 88% accuracy rate.
While AI can’t fully “understand” animal emotions yet, these advancements could transform veterinary care, farming, and animal welfare by providing real-time insights into their needs—without relying solely on human interpretation.
