What the Whales Are Saying

What separates humans from other species? The answer to that question may no longer be language.

With the help of artificial intelligence, robotics and new recording technologies, scientists are edging closer to understanding whale communications and to perhaps one day even holding a conversation. The advances could strengthen legal protections for these animals, including the most powerful safeguard of all: rights.

Katie, who covers international environmental justice and the rights of nature, explains how scientists are using AI to cross the language barrier with whales, how close they are to actually conversing, and what new research says about the “immense new legal world” that could emerge from it.

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Thank you,

Katie Surma

Reporter, Pittsburgh

Katie Surma is a reporter at Inside Climate News covering the rights of nature movement and international environmental justice. Her work has a strong focus on the intersection of human rights and the environment. Before joining ICN, she practiced law, specializing in commercial litigation. Her journalism work has been recognized by the Overseas Press Club, the Society of International Journalists, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and others. Katie has a master’s degree in investigative journalism from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, an LLM in international rule of law and security from ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, a J.D. from Duquesne University, and was a History of Art and Architecture major at the University of Pittsburgh. Katie lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.