Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionise many aspects of human society. However, its impact reaches far beyond humans alone. Every year, over 80 billion land animals are farmed worldwide, over 780 billion fish are killed, and countless other animals live in the wild. With such a vast number of animals affected, AI's influence on animal welfare could be both far-reaching and paradigm-shifting.
AI technology and tools offer a dual-edged potential: they can either enhance animal welfare or cause harm, depending on how they are applied. Recognising this potential is crucial to shaping a future that genuinely considers the well-being of all sentient beings. Consequently, it is vital for animal advocates to engage proactively with AI developments. By leveraging AI tools, animal advocates can become more efficient and maximise their impact, allowing them to reach broader audiences and drive meaningful change.
Currently large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI's GPT-4 and Anthropic's Claude 2.1 do not inherently prioritise or consider animal welfare in their design or outputs.
Despite AI’s significant potential impact on animal welfare and lack of consideration in current models, only a few organisations are dedicated to exploring this critical intersection. Some of the few that do include AI for Animals, Open Paws and The Sentience Institute.