An exciting new exhibition in Cambridge is bringing long-lost animals back to life, in a way. Using artificial intelligence (AI), scientists have recreated the sounds of extinct animals that have not been heard for centuries. This groundbreaking exhibit, called “Resurrecting Sound: The Voices of Lost Creatures,” is on display at the Cambridge Museum of Natural History.
The exhibit gives visitors the chance to “hear” animals that no longer exist on Earth. These include extinct species like the dodo, the woolly mammoth, and the Tasmanian tiger. The unique project is a collaboration between experts in AI, biology, and sound engineering. The team has used cutting-edge technology to create these realistic sounds.
AI and Sound Technology
So how does it work? The process involves more than just guessing what these animals might have sounded like. AI technology has advanced enough to analyze ancient remains, fossils, and historical descriptions. This information is fed into AI systems that study patterns of sound. By comparing the anatomy of extinct animals to modern animals with similar features, AI can generate what their voices likely were.
For example, the size and shape of an animal’s vocal cords and throat play a big role in determining the sound it produces. By studying fossils and skeletons, scientists can estimate these features in extinct species. AI then creates vocalizations that match the data.
Sound engineers have also played a key role. They have fine-tuned the AI-generated sounds to make them more lifelike. For instance, the dodo, a flightless bird that went extinct in the 1600s, now has a voice in the exhibition. Visitors can listen to what is believed to be the dodo’s calls, a sound no human has heard for hundreds of years.
Bringing the Past to Life
This exhibition is not just about hearing old sounds—it’s about bringing history to life. The voices of these extinct animals give us a new way to understand their lives and the environments they lived in. Many of the animals featured in the exhibition were wiped out due to human activities, such as hunting and habitat destruction. By hearing their voices again, the exhibition hopes to raise awareness about the importance of conservation.
Dr. Emma Carter, one of the lead scientists behind the project, explains the emotional impact of hearing these lost voices. “It’s one thing to see a skeleton or a picture of an extinct animal, but it’s another thing entirely to hear it. Sound connects us on a deeper level,” she says. “It reminds us of what we’ve lost and what we still have to protect.”
The Animals in the Exhibition
There are several extinct species featured in the exhibition. Here are some of the most fascinating ones:
- The Dodo: The dodo was a bird that lived on the island of Mauritius. It was about the size of a large turkey and could not fly. The dodo went extinct in the late 1600s, mainly because of hunting and the introduction of new species to its habitat. Using AI, scientists have recreated the dodo’s voice based on its skull structure and comparisons to other birds.
- The Woolly Mammoth: This large, elephant-like creature roamed the Earth during the Ice Age. It went extinct around 4,000 years ago. AI has been used to recreate the deep, rumbling sounds the woolly mammoth likely made. Scientists based these sounds on the mammoth’s large size and the structure of its vocal tract.
- The Tasmanian Tiger: Also known as the thylacine, the Tasmanian tiger was a carnivorous marsupial that lived in Australia and Tasmania. It went extinct in the 1930s, largely due to hunting. AI has reconstructed the animal’s growls and howls, using data from recordings made before the last of the species died out.
- The Great Auk: The great auk was a large, flightless bird that lived in the North Atlantic. It went extinct in the mid-19th century. Scientists used AI to simulate the calls it might have made by studying its closest living relatives, such as the razorbill.
How AI Changes Exhibitions
The use of AI in exhibitions is still relatively new, but it is growing fast. In the past, museums could only display fossils, drawings, or replicas of extinct animals. Now, AI allows museums to offer visitors a richer experience. They can see, touch, and now even hear extinct animals. This adds a new layer of engagement, making the exhibition more interactive and memorable.
The Cambridge Museum of Natural History is one of the first museums in the world to use AI to recreate the sounds of extinct animals. Many experts believe this could be the future of museum exhibits. It offers a powerful way to connect with history, nature, and science.
According to Dr. Carter, AI can even be used to recreate the environments these animals lived in. “Imagine walking into a room and not only hearing the dodo, but hearing the wind, the rustling leaves, and the calls of other animals from that time period,” she says. “It would be like stepping into the past.”
Public Reaction
The public response to the exhibition has been overwhelmingly positive. Many visitors have described the experience as both fascinating and emotional. Hearing the voices of animals that no longer exist has moved some people to tears. Others have been inspired to learn more about endangered species and what can be done to protect them.
Emily, a visitor at the exhibition, said, “I’ve always been interested in extinct animals, but hearing them like this really makes it real. It’s a reminder that we need to take care of the animals that are still here before it’s too late.”
Future Plans
The success of the exhibition has encouraged the Cambridge Museum of Natural History to continue exploring new technologies. There are plans to expand the project to include more extinct species and even endangered ones. The museum hopes to work with conservation organizations to use AI in helping to preserve the voices of animals currently at risk of extinction.
The exhibition will be open to the public until the end of December 2024. Visitors of all ages are welcome to explore and experience the lost voices of history.
AI is giving extinct animals a voice, and this exhibition is showing the world how powerful technology can be in reconnecting us with the past. By bringing these animals’ sounds back to life, the exhibition serves as both a tribute to the creatures we have lost and a call to protect those that still remain.
