Chinese tech powerhouse Baidu has filed a patent for a system that could use AI to decode animal sounds and behaviour then translate those signals into human language.
For the millions of pet owners wondering what their animals are thinking, this could be the first real step toward bridging the communication gap between humans and animals.
The tech
Baidu’s system would collect animal vocalizations, body movements, and biological signals. It would merge that data and feed it into an AI model trained to identify emotional states.
These emotional states could then be rendered in human language to boost “cross-species communication”.
It’s still just a patent. A Baidu spokesperson told media the translator is “still in the research stage,” but acknowledged “a lot of interest in the filing.”
Core idea:
- The idea isn’t new, but advances in deep learning and natural language processing make it feel closer than ever.
- Viral videos of dogs using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) button boards have stirred public curiosity, though scientists remain skeptical.
- UC San Diego researchers are currently studying 2,000 dogs to assess whether they truly grasp the meanings behind their button-pressing.
Photo by Angel Luciano på Unsplash
The skepticism
Some Chinese netizens aren’t convinced. One Weibo user commented, “While it sounds impressive, we’ll need to see how it performs in real-world applications.”
Patent approvals in China can take 1–5 years, depending on complexity. Baidu’s idea may be early, but the conversation it’s sparking is already loud and clear.
Want your dog to tell you how they really feel? You might not be barking up the wrong tree for long.
