Machine Learning Unlocks Sperm Whale Communication

Machine Learning Unlocks Sperm Whale Communication

Researchers at MIT CSAIL and Project CETI have utilized machine learning to decode the communication system of sperm whales, revealing a sophisticated "alphabet" within their codas. This study unveils variations in coda structures, suggesting a complex combinatorial coding system previously unrecognized. Machine learning algorithms analyzed 8,719 codas, discovering patterns similar to linguistic duality of patterning found in human languages. These findings mark a significant advancement in understanding cetacean communication, showing that sperm whale vocalizations form a structured language, potentially paving the way for further research in marine biology and artificial intelligence.