What if your dog could FaceTime you? | Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas | TEDxManchester

Key Concepts:

• Animal-computer interaction
• Animal agency and choice
• Social enrichment for animals
• Video calls for animals
• Animal cognition and understanding of technology
• Impact of technology on animal well-being
• Interspecies relationships (human-animal)

1. Introduction: Bridging the Divide for Animals

• The speaker introduces the concept of using the internet to connect animals, drawing a parallel to how humans use technology to connect with each other.
• She acknowledges the potential strangeness of the idea but highlights existing uses of technology with pets, such as tracking collars and research technologies for monitoring animal cognition and behavior.
• The central question is posed: Can technology be used to give animals more choice and control over their lives, particularly their social lives?

2. Early Experiments with Dogs: Z and TV Control

• The speaker's journey began with her dog, Z, and a desire to allow him to control the TV.
• She built low-fidelity computer devices using Arduino and Raspberry Pi that detected when a dog approached and played videos.
• Dogs used the device without training, suggesting some level of enrichment or understanding, even if the exact reasons for use were unknown.

3. Expanding to Zoo Animals: White-Faced Saki Monkeys

• The research expanded to zoo animals, specifically white-faced saki monkeys, to address their limited control over their environment.
• A tunnel device was created that played audio and video when the monkeys entered.
• The monkeys showed a preference for watching underwater barracudas, jellyfish, and mealworms, and listening to heavy traffic noise.
• The device use led to a significant reduction in scratching behavior, indicating a decrease in stress and an improvement in well-being.

4. Understanding Animal Motivation: Control vs. Stimuli

• The speaker emphasizes the difficulty in understanding why animals use technology, as they cannot be directly questioned.
• She cites an example of marmoset monkeys who repeatedly turned a light switch on and off, suggesting that control over their environment, rather than the light itself, was the motivating factor.
• The complexity and unknown factors behind animal technology use are highlighted.

5. The Importance of Social Connection: Parallels to Human Isolation

• The speaker draws a parallel between the negative effects of social isolation on humans during global lockdowns and the potential for similar effects on animals.
• She notes that many animals naturally live in large, complex social groups, but are often kept in smaller groups or even isolation in captivity due to practical constraints.
• The question is posed: Can technology, specifically video calls, be used to connect animals and improve their social lives?

6. Dog Video Calls: Initial Success and Limitations

• The speaker built a ball device for her dog that triggered video calls to her phone when he interacted with it.
• The dog frequently initiated calls, establishing routines and seemingly enjoying the interaction.
• To overcome the limitations of her availability, she began showing the dog her surroundings through the phone's camera, turning the technology into a portal to the outside world.

7. Parrot Video Calls: Connecting Parrots with Each Other

• The research shifted to parrots, highly social creatures often kept alone as pets.
• A tablet-based system was developed with profile photos of different parrots, allowing them to initiate video calls by touching the screen with their tongues.
• Parrots used the system frequently and showed preferences for calling certain "favorite" friends.
• They engaged in various social behaviors during the calls, including grooming, playing, sharing toys, dancing, and singing.

8. Live vs. Pre-Recorded Interactions: The Importance of Real-Time Connection

• To address the limitations of real-time availability, the system was modified to use pre-recorded videos of parrots instead of live calls.
• Parrots immediately reduced their use of the system, suggesting they could distinguish between live and pre-recorded interactions.
• This implies a potential understanding of being in the digital world and the importance of real-time social connection.

9. Caregiver Perspectives: Benefits for Both Birds and Humans

• Caregivers reported that their birds benefited from the video call system, and that it strengthened their relationship with their birds.
• The caregivers also felt closer to their birds and had more trust in them.
• This highlights the importance of considering the impact of technology on both animals and the humans who care for them.

10. Broader Implications and Future Directions

• The findings suggest that animals have social awareness and a potential understanding of being online.
• The research is uncovering the complex social and emotional needs of animals.
• The speaker envisions a future where technology can be used to connect animals in various settings, such as veterinary clinics and zoos, to improve their well-being and maintain social bonds.
• She emphasizes the potential of this technology and its positive impact on animal-caregiver relationships.

11. Conclusion

• The speaker concludes by highlighting the potential for animals to use technology to connect with each other in meaningful ways.
• She encourages the audience to consider the possibility that animals, like humans, are seeking connection and companionship through technology.