Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative)
CETI is a nonprofit org applying advanced machine learning and gentle robotics to listen to and translate whale communication.
Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) is a nonprofit organization and flagship National Geographic Society program, dedicated to understanding and translating the communications of sperm whales through advanced machine learning, state-of-the-art robotics, and underwater acoustics. All of CETI’s custom-developed technologies are nature-inspired and noninvasive.
Founded in 2020, CETI’s team includes world-leading experts in artificial intelligence, natural language processing and complex systems experts, marine biologists, cryptographers, linguists, roboticists, engineers and underwater acousticians.
Led by CEO and Founder, Dr. David Gruber, a National Geographic Explorer, CETI combines innovative research with global outreach to reveal the intricate social lives of sperm whales, inspire appreciation for marine ecosystems, and highlight the urgent needs for ocean conservation. The project’s scientific publications and technological developments can be explored here.
In the late 1960s, scientists—including the late Dr. Roger Payne, a principal advisor of CETI—discovered that whales sing to one another. His recordings, Songs of the Humpback Whale, sparked the “Save the Whales” movement, one of the most successful conservation initiatives in history. The campaign eventually led to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, ending large-scale whaling and saving multiple whale populations from extinction.
All this by just hearing the sounds of whales. Now imagine what we could accomplish if we could understand them.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
- Go to www.projectceti.org to learn more, sign up for our mailing list and donate and follow along on Instagram, Bluesky,(https://www.facebook.com/ProjectCETI/)and LinkedIn.
- Join and take action through our Listen to the Whales.
Fundraisers
Official fundraiser
Help us understand what whales are saying!
What would it mean if we could understand what whales are saying? What would they say? What could we learn? Project CETI is a collaborative, interdisciplinary, nonprofit interspecies communications project on a mission to find out. In the late 1960s, scientists, including principal CETI advisor Dr. Roger Payne, discovered that whales sing to one another. His recordings, “Songs of the Humpback Whale”, sparked the “Save the Whales” movement, one of the most successful conservation initiatives in history. The campaign eventually led to the Marine Mammal Protection Act that marked the end of large-scale whaling and saved several whale populations from extinction. All this by just hearing the sounds of whales. Imagine what would happen if we could understand them? For the first time in history, advances in technology have made it possible to understand the communication of animals. We at CETI are unified by the shared goal of applying technology To amplify the magic of our natural world. Our science team is made up of world’s leading artificial intelligence and natural language processing experts, cryptographers, linguists, marine biologists, roboticists and underwater acousticians from a network of universities and other partners. CETI’s research is taking place on the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica. A core part of CETI’s mission is for new research and knowledge about the sperm whales to bring more attention to the Dominican-led marine industry and support Dominica's conservation leadership in the Caribbean. Join us and learn more at www.projectceti.org
- Raised
- $1,090
- Next milestone
- $1,500
10 supporters
DonateFundraiser by AARON NEWMAN
Project CETI
Help support this project please
- Raised
- $1,000
- Goal
- $5,000
1 supporter
DonateDonors
S Gruber 1Language fosters understanding and respect. Understanding and respect are cornerstones of advanced societies. They also reduce cruelty – it is much easier to hurt or kill what you don’t understand. This project has immense potential to less...
Alan Grazioso 1“Project CETI is doing extraordinary, pioneering work — leading the largest animal communication study on the planet. Their research is expanding our understanding of whale intelligence and helping humanity build a deeper connection with th...
Margaret Maher 1The work of Project CETI is beyond exciting - it has the potential to change the human understanding of all of Earth and our place in it. We need this work now more than ever, so please know there are many out here who are cheering you on a...
Clara Yepes I am so happy to see, this is finally happening. Let´s lern to chat, listen and protect our planet neighbours!!
Sarah Bittle