Irish academic uses AI in bid to cull one of Ireland's trickiest summer problems
Galway University's Dr John Jennings wants to stop seagulls sky-bombing to peck at people's heads and steal food right out of their hands.
He believes he has come up with a possible AI solution to stop the seagulls, which many see as a 'nuisance', according to Dr John.
The educational research expert has studied the future of AI and combined it with an investigation of the seagull problem at Galway city's famous Eyre Square green space.
Dr Jennings then added a recommendation from his supervisor Dr Patrick Mannion to examine how windfarms use AI to protect birds by omitting a 'harmless deterrent noise' to scare them away.
John said: 'It is no secret that there is a seagull problem. There is also an issue with safety, not only for unsuspecting people on their lunch break, but also for the seagulls themselves.
'Seagulls perch on bus shelters, lamp posts, flag posts and buildings. I saw where people and their food was threatened by the seagulls.
'I also saw where seagulls were put in danger by their interactions with people. When people get their fast food or sandwiches, they are suddenly surrounded by seagulls, flapping their wings and making noise.
'Some of the food is dropped or snatched directly from people's hands. This could ruin any lunch date. Seagulls are seen as either a nuisance or a novelty. People may get annoyed and become violent towards the seagulls.
'Solutions for dealing with birds include netting and spikes or – in extreme cases – Falconry, but you really can't place a net over all of Eyre Square.'
Now Dr Jennings hopes he may have found the answer. He said: 'A seagull warning system would be linked to sensors. On identifying a seagull in proximity to humans, it would sound a harmless alarm.
'This system could also be adapted to warn humans of approaching seagulls. A seagull distraction system would involve AI connected to sensors to prevent seagull-human interaction.
'These systems would face outwards to see approaching seagulls. The AI would also be connected to specialised bird-feeding containers on rooftops near an area. When the AI picks up an incoming seagulls, the containers would open and distract them.'
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