New Documentary on AI and Animals

Following the release of the documentary Seantience early this year, Animal Ethics will launch a new film in early 2026: AI &Animals. This documentary examines how advances in AI may affect the lives of nonhuman animals, both negatively and positively. You can watch the teaser here.

The film features advocates and academics discussing:

• How AI systems could increase animal suffering in factory farming
• How AI-driven research and monitoring can scale efforts to reduce wild animal suffering, and help develop research methods that do not harm animals
• The risks of embedding speciesist values in large language models and other AI systems, and what can be done about them
• How animal advocates can use AI tools to increase the effectiveness and reach of their work, as well as how these tools can be especially helpful in developing alternatives to current practices that harm animals

Contributors interviewed in the documentary include:

• Peter Singer · Princeton University
• Max Taylor · Animal Charity Evaluators
• Constance Li · Sentient Futures
• Jonathan Birch · London School of Economics
• Bernice Bovenkerk · Wageningen University & Research
• Tse Yip Fai · National University of Singapore
• Aditya S. Karanam · Animal Ethics
• Jeff Sebo · New York University
• Oscar Horta · Animal Ethics | University of Santiago de Compostela
• Vanessa Sarre · Macroscopic Ventures
• Adrià Moret · University of Barcelona
• Caatje Kluskens · Wageningen University & Research
• Sam Tucker · Open Paws
• Kevin Xia · Hive
• Matti Wilks · University of Edinburgh
• Alexandra Hammond · Liverpool John Moores University

Why this documentary?

Most animal advocates are still unaware of the risks and opportunities involved for animals in the development of AI technologies (let alone transformative AI). Others simply assume that the impact of AI will surely be positive for nonhuman animals, downplaying the serious risks involved.

Few people are thinking deeply about this, despite the very short timelines we are facing. Fortunately, some organizations and projects, which are shown in the video, are now focused on helping advocates engage with AI in an informed and strategic way, though their number is still very small. This project is intended to complement their efforts.

If you want to help with this, we are currently seeking support from the community in two ways:

• First, we are raising funds to support the dissemination of the campaign in multiple languages. If you are interested in contributing, please contact us at [email protected] or donate here. 
• Second, if you would like to screen the documentary in your local EA group, university, or other institution, please reach out to us at [email protected].