Wild Intelligence investigates a critical contemporary question: How will artificial intelligence transform humanity’s relationship with the natural world, particularly animals? As AI advances to interpret whale communication, anticipate animal migrations, simulate ecosystems, and develop lifelike robotic organisms, our perception of nature is undergoing significant change. The book contends that AI represents not only a technological evolution but also a profound philosophical and ecological shift, prompting reconsideration of concepts such as intelligence, empathy, agency, and the essence of life itself. Through a balanced approach blending optimism, critique, and rigorous philosophical analysis, Wild Intelligence considers the potential for AI to both strengthen and complicate our connections with animals, while also pushing us to examine the boundaries of human identity. Drawing on scientific research, narrative, and speculative thought, the work presents a sophisticated perspective on the future, one where machines serve as interpreters, protectors, and at times, rivals within the natural environment. This publication is intended for readers who recognize that the influence of AI extends beyond technology, fundamentally impacting our broader place in the world.

George D. Catalano is Professor Emeritus at SUNY Binghamton in biomedical engineering. Previously professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at United States Military Academy and Louisiana State University. Fulbright Scholar at Polytechnic Institute in Turin, Italy and Technical Institute in Erlangen, Germany. Research areas include engineering education, engineering ethics, environmental ethics, and turbulent fluid mechanics. Author of ten books and over 150 technical articles in fields of engineering education, engineering and environmental ethics, turbulent fluid mechanics and low-speed and high-speed aerodynamics.