COPENHAGEN, Feb. 25 -- Every day, when looking at our dogs or cats, we can easily perceive signs of joy, anger or sadness in these animals. Yet this impression is largely influenced by our own experience. The study of animal emotions is a complex subject that continues to pose many challenges to science. However, a recent Danish study, published in the journal, iScience, suggests that artificial intelligence could play a key role in better deciphering them.

Using artificial intelligence, researchers at the University of Copenhagen have succeeded in identifying and distinguishing between positive and negative emotions in seven species of ungulates, including cows, pigs and wild boars. To achieve this, they analysed thousands of vocalisati...