Dr John Jennings, a Galway-based educational theorist, is turning to artificial intelligence (AI ) in a bid to tackle one of the city’s most persistent urban nuisances: aggressive seagulls in Eyre Square.
Dr Jennings, who recently completed a “Futures of A.I.” micro-credential at the University of Galway, has proposed a tech-driven solution to address growing concerns around seagull-human interactions in the city centre. Although his academic background lies in education research, Dr. Jennings was drawn to the local bird issue as a practical application of AI.
“Living in Galway, I had invaluable local knowledge,” said Dr Jennings, who used Eyre Square as a model due to its proximity and relevance. Through observation, he identified common perching spots, bus shelters, lamp posts, and rooftops, and mapped a central “green area” where most interactions between people and seagulls occur.
These encounters fall into two categories: threats to people and threats to birds. In one scenario, people eating outdoors are swarmed by seagulls, sometimes losing their food in the process. On the other hand, seagulls are at risk of injury due to human retaliation or overfamiliarity.
“Seagulls are either seen as a nuisance or a novelty,” Dr Jennings explained. “People may get annoyed and become violent towards the seagull, and it could be injured. Overfamiliarity with seagulls is another issue."
Traditional deterrents like spikes or nets are either impractical or potentially harmful to birds and people. Instead, Jennings proposes a system modelled on bird-protection technology used in wind farms. With advice from his supervisor Dr Patrick Mannion, he adapted these ideas to urban settings.
Luring birds away from human-dense areas
The solution involves two integrated AI systems, which Dr Jenning calls a Warning System and a Distraction System. The Warning System would use sensors to detect seagulls near humans and emit a subtle sound to scare the birds away, carefully calibrated so as not to alarm people more than the birds themselves. Meanwhile, the Distraction System would involve rooftop bird feeders triggered by AI, designed to lure birds away before they enter human-dense areas.
For both systems to function effectively, the AI must distinguish between seagulls and humans, track movement, and judge distance accurately.
"These systems could make it safer for both people and humans in Eyre Square," explained Dr Jennings. "From an environmental point of view, it would also make the streets a lot cleaner as rubbish bags and food consumption areas would not suffer from interference by seagulls."
While still in the concept stage, the plan has sparked conversations around feasibility, including concerns about noise pollution, data privacy, and city council approval. However, Jennings believes the system could reduce litter, improve public safety, and even support bird conservation efforts.
“If successful,” he said, “It could be expanded to other creatures in urban habitats."
