The Critical Human Elements in Using Artificial Intelligence in Comparative Cognition Studies

The past 5 years have seen a revolution in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across a wide range of disciplines, from the sciences to education to the performing arts (Haenlein & Kaplan, 2019). Its ability to change how society collects, distills, and interprets information offers immense promise for potential breakthroughs while requiring reflection on the ethics and limitations of its capacity. For nonspecialists, AI is the ability of computer programs to emulate human decision making and perform tasks in everyday environments. Within the scope of AI falls machine learning (ML), which refers to the specific technologies or algorithms that enable computer systems to identify patterns, make decisions, and improve accuracy through increased experience and interaction with the data of interest (Kok et al., 2009). In this article, we provide examples of how AI is transforming the field of animal cognition and behavior, especially within the discipline of animal communication. We discuss several of AI's contributions to deciphering how animals exchange and interpret information and consider what we risk losing along this path. We hope to begin an evolving conversation about the use of AI in studies of animal behavior and reflect on whether AI can truly enhance meaningful outcomes in our pursuit of understanding nature.