Ever wished you knew what your pet was really thinking when they give you the side-eye or sulk in a corner?
Well, science might be getting closer to decoding that mystery.
The Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience is opening at the London School of Economics this September.
It is on a mission to explore how AI could help humans “talk” to animals.
Backed by £4 million in funding, this first-of-its-kind research hub will dive deep into how animals experience the world.
From dogs and cats to insects and cuttlefish.
Can You Trust AI With Your Pet?
But don’t get too excited about chatting with your hamster just yet.
Prof Jonathan Birch, who leads the centre, warns that AI “often generates made-up responses that please the user.”
Imagine an app telling you your dog is fine home alone — when it’s actually distressed.
That’s the ethical dilemma the centre wants to tackle head-on.
From driverless cars avoiding pets to the rise of AI in farming, the centre will examine how technology affects animals.
It will develop global guidelines to ensure they aren’t left behind.
“Only when we understand how animals feel can we treat them right,” said Birch.
As for that chat with your cat? It may not be far off — just make sure it’s telling the truth.
