Tech Desk 
Feb 18, 2025
In a stunning breakthrough, a recent report highlighted how artificial intelligence (AI) is being trained to understand animal emotions, particularly in detecting pain and distress.
Researchers from several institutions worldwide are actively developing AI systems to analyse animal expressions, which could revolutionise farming, veterinary care, and pet welfare.
One such project is being developed by scientists at the University of the West of England Bristol and Scotland's Rural College called Intellipig.
This AI-driven system is designed to scan pig facial expressions to detect signs of pain, sickness, or emotional distress, enabling farmers to receive real-time alerts and respond promptly to potential health issues.
Similarly, researchers at the University of Haifa are utilising AI to analyse dog facial expressions, focusing on detecting discomfort and distress.
Previously, this team developed facial recognition software to help locate lost dogs. Their studies revealed that dogs share 38% of their facial movements with humans, making AI a valuable tool in understanding emotions.
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of São Paulo are using AI to detect pain in horses. By analysing photos taken before and after surgery, the AI system learned to focus on key facial features to identify signs of pain, achieving an impressive 88% accuracy rate.
All these breakthroughs suggested that AI could significantly enhance animal behaviour research.
