Researchers from Emory University and Georgia Tech have developed an innovative autonomous system called CapuchinAI. This system features a touchscreen and facial recognition technology designed to assess the cognitive skills of wild capuchin monkeys in their natural habitat, without the presence of researchers. The first participant in this study was a male capuchin named Trompudo, which translates to "big snout" in Spanish. Trompudo accidentally tapped the screen and was rewarded with a piece of banana, which quickly led him to understand the concept. Other capuchins soon discovered that they could earn treats by kissing the screen. In total, 16 monkeys participated in this initial pilot project, revealing distinct learning patterns among them; while some grasped the task immediately, others preferred to observe their companions before attempting it themselves. Currently, the system displays a blue screen and rewards monkeys for tapping it. Remarkably, it can recognize individual monkeys with an accuracy rate of up to 97%, and future iterations will include personalized tests for each monkey. This research aims to shed light on the factors that contribute to variations in intelligence among individual monkeys, exploring how environmental influences and life experiences shape cognitive abilities, as well as insights into primate brain evolution. A key objective of the project is to connect laboratory findings with field observations, allowing for continuous monitoring of animal behavior without the distraction of human presence. The ethical implications of such observations have been raised, with proponents arguing that since the monkeys remain in their natural environment, it is acceptable, while critics contend that it still disrupts their lives.
Informational material. 18+.
