Scientists are using AI to enhance animal welfare by detecting facial expressions that indicate stress, pain, or discomfort.

One notable system, Intellipig, developed by researchers from the University of the West of England Bristol (UWE) and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

It uses cameras to analyze pigs’ facial features as they enter feeding stalls, alerting farmers to signs of distress.

AI applications in animal welfare extend to various species, including horses, cats, and sheep.

Researchers have developed algorithms that detect pain or stress by identifying facial points such as the edges of the eyes and nostrils.

These systems can perform tasks more quickly and accurately than humans, detecting subtle facial movements that might go unnoticed.

However, experts emphasize the need for oversight and continued refinement to capture more complex aspects of animal emotions.