A collaborative team of computer scientists, AI specialists, and veterinary medicine researchers from the U.S. and U.K., working alongside The Seeing Eye, Inc., a renowned dog training center, has discovered that an AI model outperforms human experts in identifying puppies with the potential to become effective service dogs. The study, published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, aimed to address the often imprecise and challenging task of selecting suitable puppies for rigorous training programs. In the past, research has identified several inherent traits in puppies that make them well-suited for service dog roles. However, due to the complexity and variability of these traits, the selection process has traditionally relied heavily on the expertise and intuition of experienced trainers. To inject more scientific rigor into this process, the research team set out to develop an AI model that could predict which puppies would successfully complete their training. The Seeing Eye trainers meticulously tracked and recorded various attributes and behaviors of the puppies and adult dogs throughout the training regimen. They noted specific characteristics that indicated a puppy’s likelihood of becoming a highly competent service dog. Additionally, trainers completed periodic questionnaires focusing on the dogs’ personalities, temperaments, and ability to stay focused during tasks. This data was then used to train the AI model, which was designed to assess and predict a puppy's potential for service dog training. Over a year, the model made numerous predictions regarding which puppies would succeed. When the researchers compared the AI's selections to those made by human trainers, they found that the AI model was notably more accurate. One version of the AI achieved a remarkable success rate of 80%, significantly outperforming human assessments. This finding underscores the potential of AI in enhancing the efficiency and reliability of service dog selection, ultimately reducing the number of failed training cases. By leveraging technology, organizations like The Seeing Eye can save time and resources, ensuring that more successful pairings between service dogs and their human partners are achieved.