Latest news with #humaninteraction
Sustainability Times
07-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'We're Finally Talking to Cats': Scientists Discover Shockingly Simple Method That Lets You Communicate With Your Feline
IN A NUTSHELL 😺 Research has shown that the slow blink is a crucial form of cat-human communication. is a crucial form of cat-human communication. 🔍 The study revealed that cats are more likely to respond positively to humans who slow-blink at them. at them. 🏠 Cat owners can use this gesture to improve their bond and enhance their cats' emotional well-being . . 📚 Understanding feline communication can lead to better welfare practices in shelters and veterinary environments. Cats have long been perceived as aloof creatures, often leaving their human companions frustrated when attempting to bond. However, recent research has unveiled a fascinating method to bridge the communication gap between humans and cats. By adopting a special kind of 'cat smile,' humans can signal friendliness and approachability, enhancing interactions with their feline friends. This simple yet profound discovery has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of cat-human relationships, shedding light on how we can better connect with these enigmatic animals on their terms. The Science Behind the Cat Smile Understanding the feline communication system is crucial for building better relationships with our cats. The key lies in the slow blink, a subtle gesture that cats use to convey relaxation and trust. This expression involves narrowing the eyes and blinking slowly, similar to how humans smile with their eyes. Research led by psychologists at the University of Sussex demonstrated that cats are more likely to slow-blink back at humans who initiate this gesture. This groundbreaking study, conducted in 2020, provided empirical evidence that cats respond positively to such human gestures, suggesting that they perceive them as non-threatening. The experiments involved two groups of cats. In the first group, cat owners slow-blinked at their pets, while in the second, researchers unfamiliar with the cats performed the same action. The results were astonishing: cats reciprocated the slow-blink gesture in both scenarios, indicating that this form of communication transcends familiarity. Furthermore, when humans extended a hand after slow-blinking, cats were more likely to approach, demonstrating increased receptivity. This newfound understanding of cat behavior affirms what many cat owners have long suspected—that cats do communicate through subtle gestures, and we can learn to speak their language. 'This One Sentence Changed Everything': Emotionally Intelligent People Swear by This Powerful Phrase to Command Respect and Build Deep Connections Practical Applications for Cat Owners For cat owners, the implications of this research are profound. By incorporating the slow-blink into daily interactions, humans can foster deeper connections with their feline companions. This simple technique can be employed to signal friendliness and establish trust, especially in situations where cats might feel anxious or threatened. Cat owners can initiate a slow-blink when their pet is relaxed, thereby reinforcing a sense of security and comfort. Such interactions can enhance the emotional well-being of cats, reducing stress and promoting positive behavior. Moreover, this approach can be beneficial in various settings beyond the home. In veterinary clinics or animal shelters, where cats might experience elevated stress levels, staff can use the slow-blink to reassure and calm the animals. This method not only improves the cats' welfare but also facilitates smoother handling and care. The slow-blink technique, therefore, offers a practical tool for enhancing feline welfare across diverse environments, making it an invaluable addition to any cat lover's repertoire. 'Whales Are Talking to Us': These Majestic Giants Are Creating New Communication Methods That Could Transform Human-Animal Interaction Feline Social Cognition: More Than Meets the Eye The discovery of the slow-blink's significance in cat-human communication is part of a broader recognition of cats' social cognition abilities. Contrary to the stereotype of cats as solitary and indifferent creatures, research shows that they are attuned to their human companions. Cats respond to human emotions and can mirror their owners' personalities, suggesting a level of social awareness previously underestimated. This ability to pick up on human cues indicates that cats are far more perceptive than often assumed, challenging traditional comparisons to more overtly social animals like dogs. Understanding these social dynamics sheds light on why cats choose to engage with certain humans over others. Cats are known to form strong bonds with humans who demonstrate receptivity and understanding of feline communication signals. As such, the slow-blink is not just a gesture of friendliness but a bridge to deeper, more meaningful interactions. By acknowledging and respecting these cues, humans can cultivate harmonious relationships with their feline friends, enriching both their lives and those of their pets. 'Trees Are Poisoning the Air': Shocking New Study Reveals Natural Plant Defenses May Be Making Pollution Worse Implications for Future Research and Feline Welfare The implications of this research extend beyond individual cat-human relationships to broader applications in feline welfare. Understanding how cats communicate and respond to humans can inform practices that enhance their quality of life in various settings. For instance, shelters and veterinary practices can incorporate slow-blink interactions to assess and improve the emotional states of cats. This approach not only benefits the cats but also aids in public understanding of feline behavior, promoting more compassionate treatment of these animals. Future studies could explore the nuances of cat communication further, examining how different gestures and vocalizations contribute to social interactions. Such research could unlock new strategies for improving cat welfare, providing insights into how environmental factors influence feline behavior. As we continue to unravel the complexities of cat-human communication, we open the door to a deeper appreciation of the rich social lives of our feline companions. How might these discoveries transform our understanding of other domesticated animals and their interactions with humans? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (22)
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Children are receiving ‘life lessons' from influencers and AI
Children are increasingly receiving life lessons from influencers or 'AI-generated summaries', the chief inspector of Ofsted will say. Sir Martyn Oliver will argue that classroom learning with human interaction 'has never been more important' as children are spending their lives online. In a major speech at the Festival of Education, the Ofsted chief will say schools are places of 'refuge', connection, friendship and humanity for children. Sir Martyn will tell the event at Wellington College, Berkshire: 'Right now, many children live much of their lives online. 'Socially, they are never 'off' and always in touch with their friends. 'And they increasingly receive life lessons from influencers or AI-generated summaries. 'I would argue that the place of learning, real learning, classroom learning – with human interaction – has never been more important.' The Ofsted boss will add: 'In a way there's something cloistered about living one's life in a curated online environment. 'You may be able to find 'the best that has been thought or said' if you go looking for it. 'But who's guiding you through it? Where's the human connection? And of course, where's the protection?' His comments come amid calls from the Conservatives for the Government to bring in a statutory ban on smartphones in schools. Schools in England were given non-statutory Government guidance in February last year intended to stop the use of phones during the school day. Sir Martyn will say: 'Schools have never just been places of learning. 'They were, and are places of safety, even refuge. Places of community and connection. Places of friendship and humanity. 'They are citadels of childhood: communities within communities looking after their own and helping children develop into well-rounded adults – capable of looking after others in turn.' On Thursday, Sir Martyn will hit back at cynics who 'decry the norms of education' and who say Ofsted enforces an 'out-of-date, joyless system'. In his speech, he will say: 'For Ofsted, teaching a full, rich range of subjects isn't just a nice to have, it's fundamental to a great education. 'Music and art and sport aren't add-ons to the core curriculum, they are some of the most important subjects to study, in terms of developing a child's awareness of the world around them. 'And in a more macro sense, feeding into the cultural evolution of our country and pushing civilisation on.'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Children are receiving ‘life lessons' from influencers and AI
Children are increasingly receiving life lessons from influencers or 'AI-generated summaries', the chief inspector of Ofsted will say. Sir Martyn Oliver will argue that classroom learning with human interaction 'has never been more important' as children are spending their lives online. In a major speech at the Festival of Education, the Ofsted chief will say schools are places of 'refuge', connection, friendship and humanity for children. Sir Martyn will tell the event at Wellington College, Berkshire: 'Right now, many children live much of their lives online. 'Socially, they are never 'off' and always in touch with their friends. 'And they increasingly receive life lessons from influencers or AI-generated summaries. 'I would argue that the place of learning, real learning, classroom learning – with human interaction – has never been more important.' The Ofsted boss will add: 'In a way there's something cloistered about living one's life in a curated online environment. 'You may be able to find 'the best that has been thought or said' if you go looking for it. 'But who's guiding you through it? Where's the human connection? And of course, where's the protection?' His comments come amid calls from the Conservatives for the Government to bring in a statutory ban on smartphones in schools. Schools in England were given non-statutory Government guidance in February last year intended to stop the use of phones during the school day. Sir Martyn will say: 'Schools have never just been places of learning. 'They were, and are places of safety, even refuge. Places of community and connection. Places of friendship and humanity. 'They are citadels of childhood: communities within communities looking after their own and helping children develop into well-rounded adults – capable of looking after others in turn.' On Thursday, Sir Martyn will hit back at cynics who 'decry the norms of education' and who say Ofsted enforces an 'out-of-date, joyless system'. In his speech, he will say: 'For Ofsted, teaching a full, rich range of subjects isn't just a nice to have, it's fundamental to a great education. 'Music and art and sport aren't add-ons to the core curriculum, they are some of the most important subjects to study, in terms of developing a child's awareness of the world around them. 'And in a more macro sense, feeding into the cultural evolution of our country and pushing civilisation on.'
The Independent
01-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Killer whales seen ‘attempting to create relationships with humans'
A new study reveals that killer whales occasionally offer their prey to humans, suggesting an attempt to develop relationships. This behaviour, previously documented in domestic animals like cats, marks the first time such food-sharing has been observed and studied in wild predators. Researchers analysed 34 instances over two decades across various global locations, where orcas approached humans and presented them with prey. The study indicates that orcas often waited for a human reaction and, in some cases, re-offered the food if initially refused, showing persistence. Experts suggest this food-sharing could be a way for these intelligent and social marine mammals to build connections, practice learned behaviors, or explore human interaction.
Entrepreneur
28-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Designing AI Products that Enhance Rather Than Replace Human Connection
"To ensure AI is used for good and does not exploit or alienate users, we need to ensure ethical considerations that focus on data privacy and reduction of bias," says Beerud Sheth Co-founder and CEO, Gupshup Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. AI has advanced from a developing technology to a significant part of today's marketplace. Businesses across the world have embedded AI in many of their offerings to meet the existing and growing consumer appetite. Virtual assistants and customer service chatbots have become an integral part of our daily interactions. However now the challenge for businesses is to ensure AI is enhancing processes, not replacing them with humans. Although the automation of many tasks has shown to be productive and time saving, it is human relationships built on trust, empathy, and meaningful engagement that businesses rely on for true communication. The advancement of AI is not intended to replace human interaction but rather use technology to augment, strengthen, and enhance human interactions to create personalized experiences, and develop more authentic connections. The Initial Shift Toward Human-Centric AI Looking back, the devel opment of AI has primar ily focused on efficiency i.e. reducing human labor, cutting costs, and optimiz ing productivity. However, this generally sets the human at an almost transactional level with AI often being over emphasized on interaction rather than real interaction, thus leading to impersonal experiences that lack warmth and understanding. As AI becomes more advanced, businesses are recognising the need for designing AI driven solutions that are intended to complement human emotions and social subtleties, rather than replace them. Human centric AI involves moving beyond transactional interactions. It is about allow ing AI to create meaningful in teraction rather than respond ing to queries or automated processes. For industries such as healthcare, customer ser vice, or education, AI can act as a disruptor if designed carefully to incorporate empathy and emotional intelligence and enabling deeper and meaningful relationships. Augmenting Emotional Intelligence With AI Incorporating emotional intelligence is one of the key ways that AI can help bolster human connec tion. There have been use cases of chatbots blending emotion with intelligence, such as Hume AI which is designed to recognize and respond to a wide range of human emotions. AI has the ability to understand a person's emotional state by assessing a person's reaction based on tone of voice, facial expressions, and language patterns and respond appropriately. Hume's audio responses exhibit human emotion to its voice tonalities, its pauses in speaking, and sometimes an openness to admitting to feeling guilty for its limitations. In the business land scape, it's all the more important to embed this emotional understanding in AI Agents. Imagine that a user is experiencing tech nical difficulty and feeling frustration. An emotional AI chatbot like Hume could quickly pick up on the user's tone of frustration, and respond in a calmer and more patient tone, and perhaps marginally more human-like than a typical error message, and offer reassurance or apologize for their inconvenience. This would feel more hu man and less robotic than a standard error message. It can help complement human empathy rather than replace it, ensuring that appropriate and com passionate responses are provided to users. Personalization: Key to Meaningful Engagement Personalization has become one of AI's most powerful capabilities. Businesses are beginning to understand that hyper personalizing their ap proach can make for a much closer and more meaningful interaction with their audi ence when they analyze user preferences, behaviors, and past interactions. For instance, think about when you listen to music, or watch a movie. Services such as Netflix and Spotify know exactly what to recommend to you, not just because there is a predetermined algorithm but mainly because of AI that makes specialized recom mendations based on specific tastes. In the same way, your shopping experiences on an e-commerce site are enhanced with AI powered solutions. This entire model of personalization enhances the experience, brings famil iarity, and connects the user in a way that goes beyond a program of machine gener ated responses and appears to be more similar to that of the interaction with humans. AI driven personalization can also disrupt spaces such as education and health. In online education, adaptive AI tutors personalize lesson plans taking into consider ation a learner's progress (on adaptive assessments) and learning style to elicit a more effective and engaging learning experience leading to better learning outcomes. In hospitals and healthcare, AI assistants provide resources to doctors to enhance patient care by examining medi cal histories and using AI to derive insights as needed to personalize care to the individual patient. By making experiences more human centered, AI enhances rather than diminishes genuine interactions. Avoiding The Pitfalls With AI, the possibili ties are endless, but it's important to find the right balance between human oversight and automation. Thoughtful implementation is the key to ensuring that conver sations feel genuine and meaningful and that users stay engaged. A balanced approach works best where AI and people work in tandem, allowing a seamless user experience. Another key aspect to keep in mind is transparency. Users should know when they are interacting with AI, and should have the option to escalate the conversation to a human when they deem neces sary. A simple message of 'This is an AI assistant. For human support please type 'help',' adds that transparency and gives users options. To ensure AI is used for good and does not exploit or alienate users, we need to ensure ethical consid erations that focus on data privacy and reduc tion of bias. AI Should Strengthen Human Connection As AI continues to ad vance, it will play an even more vital role in enhanc ing human connection. The future of AI signifies the growth of enhanced connections based on our inherent social tenden cies. Businesses embrac ing human-centered AI, will form stronger relationships with their customers, employees, and community mem bers. By creating AI systems that make use of contex tual awareness, emotion recognition, and person alization of experience, companies can develop technology to support and complement our hu man interactions, rather than diminish them. The key to success lies in using AI as an enabler to develop meaningful relationships, and em power people to connect, collaborate, and commu nicate on a deeper level. AI should not seek to re place human connection but amplify it, ensuring that technology remains a tool for bringing people closer together rather than driving them apart. The question for business is not whether to adopt AI, it is how to leverage it to enhance clarity, foster human connection, and bring empathy to every interaction.
