London — When Londoner Chelsea Battle first met her cavapoo Peanut, it was love at first sight.
"He's my son," she told CBS News, calling her bond with her dog "one of the most important relationships in my life."
Chelsea adopted Peanut during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I think it's really important to understand that dogs have different personalities, and you need to find the one that's best for you," Chelsea said. "I lucked out."
Their bond is strong, and picking a dog or other pet often comes down to a gut feeling. But computer scientists at the University of East London are hoping to take some of the chance out of the process. They're using artificial intelligence to help predict the personality types of individual dogs, so they can be better matched with humans.
"These personality types are defined based on the behavioral attributes, not the breed, not the gender of the dog," Dr. Mohammad Amirhosseini, a senior lecturer in computer science and digital technology at the university, told CBS News.
Research conducted by British scientists using behavioral data from over 70,000 dogs at the University of Pennsylvania has led to the development of an AI algorithm capable of categorizing canines into five distinct personality types.
Describing the achievement, Amirhosseini stated, "Our top-performing model achieved an impressive 99% accuracy."
The study identified the following classifications for dogs:
- Excitable and hyper-attached
- Anxious and fearful
- Aloof and predatory
- Reactive and assertive
- Calm and agreeable
With this breakthrough, the researchers aim to eventually predict the most suitable individual dogs, beyond just breeds, for various tasks such as detecting drugs, assisting the visually impaired, and even providing companionship to children.
Currently, more than half of dogs trained for specific roles like security or guiding individuals fail to complete their programs, as reported by the American Kennel Club.
Amirhosseini explained, "By understanding a dog's personality in advance, we can make better choices in assigning them to suitable tasks."
The ultimate goal is for this AI technology to be widely accessible, aiding families in selecting the ideal dog for their needs. Presently, approximately half of shelter dogs in the U.S. are returned by adopters, often due to behavioral concerns.
AI Tool Developed to Improve Adoption Success Rates
A team of researchers has recently unveiled a groundbreaking AI tool designed to enhance adoption success rates. The tool utilizes advanced algorithms to match potential adopters with suitable pets based on various criteria such as lifestyle, preferences, and compatibility.
By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, the researchers aim to streamline the adoption process and increase the likelihood of successful matches between pets and their new owners. This innovative tool has the potential to revolutionize the way adoptions are facilitated, ultimately leading to happier pets and families.
The researchers hope that as they continue to refine and improve the AI tool, it will play a key role in promoting more successful adoptions and reducing the number of pets in shelters.
