Abstract: Understanding the communication systems of non-human animals is a scientific challenge that bridges biology, linguistics, and machine learning. It involves making sense not only of the sounds animals produce but also how they influence and drive group behaviors, giving us insights into the cognition and intelligence of other species.

In this talk, I will present recent progress towards deciphering the structure of naturally occurring communication in the wild, focusing on the vocalizations of sperm whales. I’ll share experiments that led to uncovering a unique combinatorial communication system in sperm whales—revealing a level of structural complexity and context sensitivity not previously recognized. I’ll conclude by outlining a broader research project: developing a generalizable, data-driven framework for decoding the communication systems of diverse species. This work opens the door to a deeper understanding of non-human intelligence and the underlying principles that govern its expression.