I saw how an artificial intelligence collar made a dog talk, and it was incredible.

Conversations with our pets are common, but what if they could respond? This idea is the core of the Shazam Band by Personifi AI, a wearable device that translates our pets' moods, movements, and emotions into words. Through artificial intelligence, it creates a genuine interaction between humans and animals, making it one of the most unusual tech gadgets in recent times. The experience is such that, after seeing it in action, it is hard to believe.

The Shazam Band is designed as a collar for pets, available in two sizes: one for dogs and another for cats. This device features multiple sensors including a 6-axis gyroscope, GPS, temperature sensor, speaker, and microphone. Its battery lasts several weeks on a single charge, and an additional battery is included to always have one ready for use. The device uses artificial intelligence to interpret the pet's movements and the owner's tone of voice, creating verbal responses that reflect the pet's intentions and personality.

The development and training of the AI have been conducted in collaboration with experts in animal behavior, such as Matt Beisner, known for the show Dog: Impossible, and other voice talents like Bobby Johnson. Additionally, Roscoe, the dog of John McHale, CEO of Personifi AI, has participated in training the system, ensuring that the AI can interpret interactions authentically. During a demonstration, although Roscoe appeared to be a bit annoyed at being woken up, the team experienced a real verbal interaction through the device, showcasing his lazy personality. The responses emitted by the device matched the dog's feelings and needs, showing that there is indeed a degree of correspondence between what owners communicate and what pets might want to express.

While this is not about having deep conversations, the device could offer glimpses into the pet's personality, opening a new way of communication. Still, there is a deeper potential: McHale shared that the idea arose after an experience with Roscoe, who was unable to communicate a critical health issue after being bitten by a snake. Had Roscoe been able to express his discomfort, things could have taken a different turn.

Shazam is not just a simple chatbot; its design is aimed at capturing real emotions and the personality of the pet. It comes with 27 distinct voices, each with a unique personality, adding a level of customization. The app also allows monitoring of activities and has geofencing features to ensure the pet's safety. Moreover, the collar has the ability to alert the pet when it strays away from a verbally established area.

However, this type of technology comes at a cost: the Shazam Band is priced at $495 for the small size and $595 for the large, including a year of access to the app and a voice option. Pre-orders will be available starting October 25, with shipping scheduled for February 2025.

Despite the skepticism this technology may generate, Shazam could revolutionize our interactions with pets, taking it to a new level. While the novelty might go through a fleeting phase, the possibility of vocalizing animals' emotions offers a glimpse into what they might be thinking or feeling, which could be both entertaining and immensely helpful in critical situations.