A hardware revolution in recording devices and a software revolution in artificial intelligence is enabling researchers to listen in to all kinds of conversations outside the human hearing range, a field known as bioacoustics. Some scientists now believe these developments will also allow us to ‘translate’ animal sounds into human language. In a new season of Tech Tonic, FT innovation editor John Thornhill and series producer Persis Love ask whether we’re moving closer to being able to ‘speak whale’ or even to chat with bats.
Presented by John Thornhill, produced by Persis Love, sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.
Free links:
Google Translate for the zoo? How humans might talk to animals
Karen Bakker, scientist and author, 1971-2023
How generative AI really works
Credits: Sperm whale sounds from Project CETI; honeyhunter calls from Claire Spottiswoode
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Coming soon: Will climate tech save the planet?
A sceptic’s guide to crypto: the crypto Wild West
A sceptic’s guide to crypto: the church of bitcoin
A sceptic’s guide to crypto: NFT mania
A sceptic’s guide to crypto: bonus interview with a16z’s Chris Dixon
A sceptic’s guide to crypto: the ‘smart’ money
A sceptic’s guide to crypto: boom and bust
Coming soon: A Sceptic’s Guide to Crypto
Introducing: Hot Money
Behind the Money is back!
US-China Tech Race: The great decoupling
US-China Tech Race: Brave new world
US-China Tech Race: Shock and Awe
US-China Tech Race: Chips with everything
US-China Tech Race: Spies & Lies (Part Two)
US-China Tech Race: Spies & Lies (Part One)
Coming soon, season 3, The US/China Tech Race
AI with military characteristics
Brainstorm
You Can’t Always Get What you Quant
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
FT News Briefing
Money Clinic with Claer Barrett
FT World Weekly
FT News in Focus
FT Banking Weekly