Can we talk to whales? Their brains are six times the size of ours and scientists think they are very clever. So some hope tech can get them talking.
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AI could unlock secrets of ocean giants
Can we talk to whales? Their brains are six times the size of ours and scientists think they are very clever. So some hope tech can get them talking.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>
In ancientVery old. times, sailors heard strange music coming from underneath their ships. With no idea what it was, they made up tales of mermaids singing to them from the ocean.
It was not until the 1900s that we found out that this underwater music was whale song. And as we studied them, we found that whale songs are really not so unlike human languages.
Sperm whalesThe largest of the toothed whales. They live in pods and can be up to 59 feet long. ' sounds, which are more like a series of clicks, are some of the closest to human language. Each group of sperm whales has a different set of clicks which they teach to their young.
For some time now, scientists have hoped we might be able to translateChange words from one language to another. this language. But there is a problem.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>
We can work out when the whales sing certain songs. But we cannot understand what they actually mean.
But all that could be about to change. One team of scientists thinks we can use AIA computer programme that has been designed to think. to find out the secrets of whale song. They call themselves the CetaceanAquatic, marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Translation Initiative, or "CETI".
ChatGPTAn Artificial Intelligence chatbot released in November 2022. does not understand languages. However, it can take in huge numbers of words and work out how they should be put in order. Now, they think ChatGPT might be able to do the same with whale song, and make up something we could play to a group of whales.
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<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Can we talk to whales?</strong></h5>
Yes! We know that sperm whales talk to each other. If we can work out what their words mean, we should be able to talk to them.
No! Only human beings really have language. Whales might find ways to show their feelings, but it is not the same thing as a language. We will never really be able to speak to whales.
Ancient - Very old.
Sperm whales - The largest of the toothed whales. They live in pods and can be up to 59 feet long.
Translate - Change words from one language to another.
AI - A computer programme that has been designed to think.
Cetacean - Aquatic, marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins and porpoises.
ChatGPT - An Artificial Intelligence chatbot released in November 2022.
AI could unlock secrets of ocean giants
Whale of a time: Whales have been around for 50 million years, much longer than hominids. Glossary
Ancient - Very old.
Sperm whales - The largest of the toothed whales. They live in pods and can be up to 59 feet long.
Translate - Change words from one language to another.
AI - A computer programme that has been designed to think.
Cetacean - Aquatic, marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins and porpoises.
ChatGPT - An Artificial Intelligence chatbot released in November 2022.