According to artificial intelligence,This will be the pets of the future
More and more people decide to add a pet to their family. Europe is a clear example of this and, in the last nine years, the number of households with pets has gone from 20 million to 90 million in 2021.
Regarding the pets that we Europeans tend to have the most, according to a report by the Fédération Européenne de l’Industrie des Aliments pour Animaux Familiers (FEDIAF), the cat is the preferred pet . In 2021, in the homes of the old continent there were more than 113 million cats, compared to the nearly 93 million dogs recorded. Since 2017, the cat population in Europe has only grown, especially in countries like Russia, Germany and France, where at the end of the last year there were already more than 15 million, even reaching close to 23 in the case of the ancient nation of tsars. Of course, in countries like Spain, the canis lupus familiaris (dog) is still the preferred pet.
And in the future, what pets will we have? “The evolution of pets in the future will depend to a large extent on technology, cultural trends and ethics in the breeding and ownership of animals,” says the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT.
When the AI is asked how it imagines the pets of the future, ChatGPT visualizes possible types of pet “animals” or those with different characteristics.
Genetically modified pets
Genetic engineering could allow the creation of pets with specific characteristics, such as allergy-free cats or dogs with enhanced search and rescue capabilities. However, this area raises ethical and animal welfare concerns that must be carefully addressed.
virtual pets
With virtual reality and augmented reality constantly developing, we could see the rise of virtual pets that only exist in digital environments. These pets could interact with their owners through electronic devices and provide virtual companionship.
Sustainable pets
Given the growing environmental awareness, it is possible that the pets of the future are designed to be more sustainable. “This could include breeding animal breeds that have a lower environmental impact or promoting rescued and adopted pets instead of purchasing animals from farms,” the AI says.
Bioluminescent pets
Genetic modification could also lead to pets that emit bioluminescent light, which could be an aesthetic or practical feature to help illuminate dark areas.
Increased emphasis on animal welfare. With increased awareness of animal welfare, it is likely that people will be more careful in choosing pets and ensuring they receive proper care in the future. Animal protection laws and regulations could be stricter.
Interconnected pets
The technology could also allow pets to be more interconnected with their owners, allowing constant monitoring of their health and well-being through smart devices.
Hybrid pets
In the future, hybrid pet species could emerge, created from the mixture of characteristics of several species . These hybrids could be developed to meet specific needs of owners.
“Importantly, regardless of how pets evolve in the future, animal ethics and welfare must remain a key consideration. The responsibility to properly care for pets, whether they are real, robot or virtual animals, will continue to be essential,” notes ChatGPT.
