A 200 years who “speaks” seems to be a found by fantasy films, but it is reality thanks to an innovative project started Trinity College of Dublin. The protagonist is a secular planean transformed into an unpublished human interlocutor thanks to a system of Integrated artificial intelligence And environmental sensors.
This experiment, known as “The Talking Tree”aims to create a bridge between human beings and the vegetable world, making visible – and audible – the biological signals that have so far remained invisible. The operation of the project is based on a system of sensors installed on the tree trunkcapable of detecting parameters such as soil humidity, pH, temperature, air quality and sunlight.
These data are then interpreted by a local and without the use of the cloud – That translates them into a human language. Visitors can ask direct questions like “Are you thirsty?“Or“How did you feel during the heat wave?“And receive answers that reflect the physiological conditions of the tree.
A storage tool
The idea is not only fascinating from a technological point of view, but also profoundly educational. Transform Environmental data in understandable emotions It makes the climatic crisis less abstract. Feel a tree express concern for drought or joy for a sunny day stimulates empathy towards the natural worldfavoring greater ecological awareness.
The project also has important practical implications: monitor in real time i bioelectric changes trees could allow you to identify early signs of ecological stressor even anticipate disastrous events such as The forest fires. It is a way to use IA not as an invasive force, but as an ally of environmental conservation.
In an era in which theecological imprint of artificial intelligence It is under accusation – it is estimated that the data centers will absorb a growing share of energy in the coming years – this project stands out for its approach sustainable. All operations take place locallywithout resorting to external servers, drastically reducing energy consumption. Giving voice to a tree thus becomes not only a symbolic gesture, but an invitation to listen to nature: to learn to feel what he has always tells us.
