Whale conservationist Ted Cheeseman has developed a new way for people to identify individual whales using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Cheeseman’s research company, HappyWhale, allows users to upload their photos of whales onto its website. The AI software then uses adapted human facial recognition technology to identify each whale’s uniquely shaped, colored, or marked tail. The software can tell users the whale’s name if it has already been given one, or invite users to choose a name. It can also show users a map of everywhere the whale has been sighted. The system is free for the public to use, but commercial users are asked to pay a monthly subscription.

HappyWhale uses the data it receives from uploaded photos to track whale numbers and movements. This is part of a growing trend of conservation groups using AI to enable the public to identify animals or birds. For example, the Merlin Bird ID app developed by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology allows users to identify bird species by taking a photo or recording the bird’s song. The AI software quickly checks Cornell’s database of images or recordings and provides a match. Users are encouraged to enter additional information about the bird, such as location, size, color, and behavior, which is then added to the database to help scientists map bird populations and migratory patterns.

Another app, iNaturalist, uses AI to determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed. The AI was trained with a large number of photos for each species and continues to learn as more images are uploaded. These image recognition apps are not only helping people learn more about wildlife but also contributing to conservation efforts. By increasing knowledge and enjoyment of wildlife, these apps are sparking interest in conservation and encouraging people to protect the species they love.

In the case of HappyWhale, the whale tracking data obtained from users’ photos played a crucial role in persuading members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to reduce the maximum allowed speed of their ships to prevent whale strikes. This demonstrates the real-world impact that AI and crowdsourced data can have on wildlife conservation efforts.

Original news source: Name that whale! How AI aces animal spotting (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually or in pairs. Then, ask them to summarize the main points of the article in their own words. They should focus on the key information and be able to explain the purpose and benefits of using AI technology for identifying individual whales.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a statement related to the article, such as “Using AI technology for wildlife conservation is a positive development.” Ask each group to discuss the statement and come up with their opinions. After a few minutes, conduct a class poll to see how many students agree or disagree with each statement. Encourage students to explain their reasoning.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Provide each student with a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Ask them to choose one aspect of the article, such as the AI software or the role of crowdsourced data, and sketch a visual representation of it. After they finish their sketches, have students share their drawings with a partner and explain the connection to the article.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down a list of key vocabulary words from the article, such as “conservationist,” “artificial intelligence,” “facial recognition,” and “crowdsourced data.” Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a vocabulary word and ask them to draw a picture that represents the word. The other groups should try to guess the word based on the drawing. Encourage students to use their creativity and imagination.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Give each student a copy of the article. Ask them to read it individually and underline or highlight the most important information. Then, pair up the students and ask them to take turns summarizing the article in one minute or less. After each round, they should switch partners and summarize again. Repeat this activity a few times to encourage students to practice summarizing quickly and concisely.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How does HappyWhale use AI technology to identify individual whales?
2. What information does the AI software provide users about each identified whale?
3. How does HappyWhale use the data it receives from uploaded photos?
4. Give an example of another conservation app that uses AI technology.
5. How does the Merlin Bird ID app help scientists map bird populations and migratory patterns?
6. How does the iNaturalist app use AI to determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed?
7. How are image recognition apps like HappyWhale contributing to conservation efforts?
8. How did the whale tracking data obtained from HappyWhale users’ photos impact wildlife conservation efforts?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Whale conservationist Ted Cheeseman has developed a new way for people to identify individual whales using (1)______ intelligence (AI) technology. Cheeseman’s research company, HappyWhale, allows users to upload their photos of whales onto its website. The AI software then uses adapted (2)______ facial (3)______ technology to identify each whale’s uniquely (4)______, colored, or marked tail. The software can tell users the whale’s name if it has already been given one, or invite users to choose a name. It can also show users a map of everywhere the whale has been sighted. The system is free for the public to use, but commercial users are asked to pay a monthly subscription.

HappyWhale uses the data it receives from (5)______ photos to track (6)______ numbers and movements. This is part of a growing trend of conservation groups using AI to enable the public to identify animals or birds. For example, the Merlin Bird ID app developed by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology (7)______ users to identify bird species by taking a photo or recording the bird’s song. The AI software quickly checks Cornell’s (8)______ of images or recordings and provides a (9)______. Users are encouraged to enter additional information about the bird, such as location, size, color, and behavior, which is then added to the database to help scientists map bird (10)______ and migratory patterns.

Another app, iNaturalist, uses AI to (11)______ what species of animals or plants users have photographed. The AI was trained with a large number of (12)______ for each species and continues to learn as more images are uploaded. These image recognition apps are not only helping people learn more about wildlife but also contributing to conservation efforts. By (13)______ knowledge and enjoyment of wildlife, these apps are sparking interest in conservation and encouraging people to protect the species they love.

In the case of HappyWhale, the whale tracking data obtained from users’ photos played a crucial role in persuading (14)______ of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to (15)______ the maximum allowed (16)______ of their ships to prevent whale strikes. This demonstrates the real-world impact that AI and crowdsourced data can have on wildlife conservation efforts.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the purpose of HappyWhale and how does it use artificial intelligence technology?
2. How would you feel if you were able to identify individual whales using AI technology? Why?
3. Do you think using AI technology to track whale numbers and movements is an effective method of conservation? Why or why not?
4. What are some other examples of AI technology being used for wildlife conservation?
5. Why do you think it’s important for the public to be able to identify animals and birds using AI technology?
6. Do you like the idea of contributing to conservation efforts through using apps like HappyWhale or iNaturalist? Why or why not?
7. How do you think AI technology can help increase knowledge and enjoyment of wildlife?
8. What other ways can AI technology be used to protect and conserve wildlife?
9. How do you think crowdsourced data can impact wildlife conservation efforts?
10. What are some potential challenges or limitations of using AI technology for wildlife conservation?
11. How do you think AI technology can influence people’s attitudes towards wildlife and conservation?
12. Do you think it’s important for commercial users to pay a subscription fee for using apps like HappyWhale? Why or why not?
13. How do you think AI technology can be used to address other environmental issues besides wildlife conservation?
14. What role do you think individuals can play in wildlife conservation efforts?
15. Why do you think it’s important for conservation groups to involve the public in their efforts through apps and technology?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. conservationist
2. artificial
3. adapted
4. uniquely
5. subscription
6. trend
7. ornithology
8. species
9. migratory
10. iNaturalist
11. recognition
12. sparking
13. crucial
14. persuading
15. crowdsourced

Meanings:
(A) The scientific study of birds
(B) Convincing someone to do something through reasoning or argument
(C) Relating to the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another
(D) Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
(E) A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding
(F) A general direction in which something is developing or changing
(G) Stimulating or giving rise to activity, interest, or enthusiasm
(H) A regular payment made for access to a service or product
(I) Modified for a new use or purpose
(J) The action or process of identifying someone or something or the fact of being identified
(K) Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally
(L) Obtained by enlisting the services of a large number of people, typically via the Internet
(M) A person who advocates for the protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife
(N) An application that uses technology to help identify natural organisms
(O) Of great importance or significance, especially in its bearing on the future
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the purpose of HappyWhale?
(a) To track bird populations and migratory patterns
(b) To determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed
(c) To identify individual whales using AI technology
(d) To reduce the maximum allowed speed of ships to prevent whale strikes

2. How does HappyWhale identify individual whales?
(a) By analyzing their unique markings on their bodies
(b) By matching their photos with a database of known whales
(c) By asking users to choose a name for the whale
(d) By using adapted human facial recognition technology on their tails

3. How does the Merlin Bird ID app work?
(a) It uses AI to determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed
(b) It matches bird species by analyzing photos or recordings
(c) It tracks bird populations and migratory patterns
(d) It encourages users to protect the species they love

4. What is the purpose of the iNaturalist app?
(a) To determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed
(b) To track whale numbers and movements
(c) To identify individual whales using AI technology
(d) To reduce the maximum allowed speed of ships to prevent whale strikes

5. How are image recognition apps contributing to conservation efforts?
(a) By tracking bird populations and migratory patterns
(b) By increasing knowledge and enjoyment of wildlife
(c) By reducing the maximum allowed speed of ships to prevent whale strikes
(d) By determining what species of animals or plants users have photographed

6. What real-world impact did HappyWhale have on wildlife conservation efforts?
(a) It tracked whale numbers and movements
(b) It matched bird species by analyzing photos or recordings
(c) It determined what species of animals or plants users have photographed
(d) It persuaded members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to reduce ship speeds

7. What do commercial users of HappyWhale have to do?
(a) Pay a monthly subscription
(b) Upload their photos of whales onto the website
(c) Enter additional information about the bird, such as location, size, color, and behavior
(d) Choose a name for the whale

8. What is the main benefit of using AI and crowdsourced data for wildlife conservation efforts?
(a) It reduces the maximum allowed speed of ships to prevent whale strikes
(b) It helps users identify bird species by taking photos or recording their songs
(c) It can have a real-world impact on protecting species
(d) It encourages people to protect the species they love

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The software cannot tell users the whale’s name if it has already been given one, nor invite users to choose a name.
2. Cheeseman’s research company, HappyWhale, does not allow users to upload their photos of whales onto its website.
3. The AI software used by HappyWhale uses adapted human facial recognition technology to identify each whale’s tail.
4. HappyWhale tracks whale numbers and movements using the data received from uploaded photos.
5. The iNaturalist app does not use AI to determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed.
6. The whale tracking data obtained from users’ photos on HappyWhale did not play a role in persuading the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to reduce ship speeds to prevent whale strikes.
7. The Merlin Bird ID app developed by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology allows users to identify bird species using AI technology.
8. Ted Cheeseman has developed a new way for people to identify individual whales using AI technology.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How does HappyWhale use artificial intelligence to identify individual whales?
2. What other conservation apps use AI technology to identify animals or birds?
3. How does HappyWhale use the data it receives from uploaded photos?
4. How have image recognition apps like HappyWhale contributed to conservation efforts?
5. Can you give an example of the real-world impact that AI and crowdsourced data have had on wildlife conservation efforts?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How does HappyWhale use AI technology to identify individual whales?
– HappyWhale uses adapted human facial recognition technology to identify each whale’s uniquely shaped, colored, or marked tail.

2. What information does the AI software provide users about each identified whale?
– The AI software can tell users the whale’s name if it has already been given one, or invite users to choose a name. It can also show users a map of everywhere the whale has been sighted.

3. How does HappyWhale use the data it receives from uploaded photos?
– HappyWhale uses the data to track whale numbers and movements.

4. Give an example of another conservation app that uses AI technology.
– iNaturalist is another app that uses AI technology to determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed.

5. How does the Merlin Bird ID app help scientists map bird populations and migratory patterns?
– The Merlin Bird ID app allows users to identify bird species by taking a photo or recording the bird’s song. Users can enter additional information about the bird, such as location, size, color, and behavior, which is then added to the database to help scientists map bird populations and migratory patterns.

6. How does the iNaturalist app use AI to determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed?
– The iNaturalist app uses AI that was trained with a large number of photos for each species. As more images are uploaded, the AI continues to learn and improve its ability to determine the species of animals or plants in users’ photos.

7. How are image recognition apps like HappyWhale contributing to conservation efforts?
– Image recognition apps like HappyWhale are increasing knowledge and enjoyment of wildlife, sparking interest in conservation, and encouraging people to protect the species they love.

8. How did the whale tracking data obtained from HappyWhale users’ photos impact wildlife conservation efforts?
– The whale tracking data obtained from HappyWhale users’ photos played a crucial role in persuading members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to reduce the maximum allowed speed of their ships to prevent whale strikes. This demonstrates the real-world impact that AI and crowdsourced data can have on wildlife conservation efforts.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) artificial
(2) human
(3) recognition
(4) shaped
(5) uploaded
(6) whale
(7) allows
(8) database
(9) match
(10) populations
(11) determine
(12) photos
(13) increasing
(14) members
(15) reduce
(16) speed
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. conservationist
Answer: (M) A person who advocates for the protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife

2. artificial
Answer: (K) Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally

3. adapted
Answer: (I) Modified for a new use or purpose

4. uniquely
Answer: (D) Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else

5. subscription
Answer: (H) A regular payment made for access to a service or product

6. trend
Answer: (F) A general direction in which something is developing or changing

7. ornithology
Answer: (A) The scientific study of birds

8. species
Answer: (E) A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding

9. migratory
Answer: (C) Relating to the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another

10. iNaturalist
Answer: (N) An application that uses technology to help identify natural organisms

11. recognition
Answer: (J) The action or process of identifying someone or something or the fact of being identified

12. sparking
Answer: (G) Stimulating or giving rise to activity, interest, or enthusiasm

13. crucial
Answer: (O) Of great importance or significance, especially in its bearing on the future

14. persuading
Answer: (B) Convincing someone to do something through reasoning or argument

15. crowdsourced
Answer: (L) Obtained by enlisting the services of a large number of people, typically via the Internet
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the purpose of HappyWhale?
Answer: (c) To identify individual whales using AI technology

2. How does HappyWhale identify individual whales?
Answer: (d) By using adapted human facial recognition technology on their tails

3. How does the Merlin Bird ID app work?
Answer: (b) It matches bird species by analyzing photos or recordings

4. What is the purpose of the iNaturalist app?
Answer: (a) To determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed

5. How are image recognition apps contributing to conservation efforts?
Answer: (b) By increasing knowledge and enjoyment of wildlife

6. What real-world impact did HappyWhale have on wildlife conservation efforts?
Answer: (d) It persuaded members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to reduce ship speeds

7. What do commercial users of HappyWhale have to do?
Answer: (a) Pay a monthly subscription

8. What is the main benefit of using AI and crowdsourced data for wildlife conservation efforts?
Answer: (c) It can have a real-world impact on protecting species
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The software cannot tell users the whale’s name if it has already been given one, nor invite users to choose a name. (Answer: False)
2. Cheeseman’s research company, HappyWhale, does not allow users to upload their photos of whales onto its website. (Answer: False)
3. The AI software used by HappyWhale uses adapted human facial recognition technology to identify each whale’s tail. (Answer: True)
4. HappyWhale tracks whale numbers and movements using the data received from uploaded photos. (Answer: True)
5. The iNaturalist app does not use AI to determine what species of animals or plants users have photographed. (Answer: False)
6. The whale tracking data obtained from users’ photos on HappyWhale did not play a role in persuading the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to reduce ship speeds to prevent whale strikes. (Answer: False)
7. The Merlin Bird ID app developed by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology allows users to identify bird species using AI technology. (Answer: True)
8. Ted Cheeseman has developed a new way for people to identify individual whales using AI technology. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧