Decoding nature’s hidden patterns

The TED Radio Hour episode "Translating Nature" explores how researchers are using AI and other technologies to understand the natural world better. It features Sara Beery, an AI professor at MIT, discussing the potential of AI in ecological conservation, including the use of citizen science data and AI tools like Inquire to analyze ecological information from images. The episode also includes Jeff Reed, a computational linguist, who discusses his work on the Cry Wolf Project, using AI to analyze wolf howls in Yellowstone National Park to understand wolf communication and aid in conservation efforts. Both guests emphasize the importance of integrating AI with expert knowledge and fieldwork to address environmental challenges effectively.