The body of a bumblebee is like a tiny musical instrument. The AI will identify the type of bee from its unique buzz.

Scientists are optimistic about using artificial intelligence (AI) to aid bee research and conservation efforts in the British Isles. Over 20 species of bumblebees inhabit the region, but some have become extinct since World War II, and others are endangered. To help conserve these bees, researchers are training a computer system to automatically identify threatened species in the wild by recognizing the unique buzzes each species makes.

Alixandra Prybyla and her colleague Eva Nelson from the University of Edinburgh have been conducting fieldwork in the wildflower meadows around the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney, which is home to several bee species, including the rare great yellow bumblebee. Bees produce vibrations while flying, and these vibrations create distinct sounds. Human ears can discern differences between various bee buzzes, but more subtle distinctions require scientific instruments to analyze the emitted frequencies.

Using AI, the researchers are recording thousands of bee sounds and gathering environmental and morphological data to train the algorithm. By building a database linking bee sounds with detailed information about the individual bees, such as weight, size, and environmental factors, the researchers hope to gain a comprehensive understanding of the variables that influence bee sounds throughout their seasonal activities.

The ultimate goal is to develop a system capable of automatically recognizing and analyzing bee recordings using microphones placed in bee habitats. This technology, known as a “remote acoustic monitoring station,” could help researchers monitor bee populations efficiently and identify concerning changes or threats that require conservation interventions.

The AI-based approach offers significant advantages over traditional methods, which are often laborious and time-consuming, involving experts manually identifying bees and conducting population examinations. With AI’s potential to automate the process, scientists envision a more effective and data-driven approach to bee conservation.

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