TL;DR
Ai, a chimpanzee who took part in long-running cognitive research at Kyoto University, died on 9 January at age 49 from organ failure and age-related causes. She was a central subject of the Ai Project, noted for numerical skills, color recognition and habitual drawing.
What happened
Kyoto University's Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior announced that Ai, a female chimpanzee who lived at the institute, died on 9 January from old age and organ failure. Staff were present when she passed. Born in western Africa, Ai arrived at the Japanese research centre in 1977 and became the namesake for the Ai Project, a programme exploring chimpanzee cognition. Researchers provided her with an early computer-linked keyboard at 18 months to test memory and learning. By age five, a 1985 paper by project leader Tetsuro Matsuzawa reported that Ai had mastered numerical naming from one to six and could identify number, colour and object across 300 sample types. Outside formal tests she often drew and painted without food incentives; Japanese media also reported she once used a key to unlock her cage and escape with another primate. Ai gave birth to a son, Ayumu, in 2000.
Why it matters
- Ai's documented abilities contributed to empirical study of numerical and colour recognition in chimpanzees within the Ai Project.
- Her use of a keyboard and early computer-assisted testing exemplifies methods used to probe primate cognition and memory.
- Ai's spontaneous drawing and painting blurred lines between experimental behaviour and spontaneous creative activity in captive apes.
- Her long lifespan and offspring (notably Ayumu) link multiple generations to ongoing comparative cognition research at the centre.
Key facts
- Ai died on 9 January; the institute cited old age and organ failure and said staff were present.
- She was 49 years old at the time of death.
- Ai was born in western Africa and arrived at Kyoto University's centre in 1977.
- The Ai Project — named after her — focused on the 'chimpanzee mind' and cognitive testing.
- Researchers provided her with a computer-linked keyboard at 18 months to study memory and learning.
- A 1985 paper by Tetsuro Matsuzawa reported Ai could name numbers one to six and identify number, colour and object across 300 sample types by age five.
- She routinely drew and painted without food rewards; one of her paintings was later used to make a scarf gifted in 2017.
- Japanese media reported that Ai once unlocked her cage with a key and escaped with another primate.
- Ai gave birth to a son, Ayumu, in 2000; Ayumu is noted in the source for his memory abilities.
What to watch next
- Whether the Ai Project will publish additional reflections or summaries about Ai's decades of data — not confirmed in the source.
- How the centre will document or preserve Ai's artworks and research materials for future study or public display — not confirmed in the source.
- Any announcements about the wellbeing or role of other chimpanzees from the project, including Ayumu — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Ai Project: A long-term research programme at Kyoto University studying chimpanzee cognition and behaviour; named for the chimpanzee Ai.
- Primatologist: A scientist who studies primates, including their behaviour, cognition and evolution.
- Cognitive tests: Experimental tasks designed to measure memory, perception, problem-solving and other mental processes.
- Numerical naming: The ability to identify or label numbers orally or via symbols; used in comparative cognition studies.
Reader FAQ
How did Ai die?
The centre said she died of old age and organ failure on 9 January; staff were present.
How old was Ai and where did she live?
Ai was 49 and lived at Kyoto University's Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior.
What were Ai's notable abilities?
The Ai Project reported she could use numbers and identify colours, and she frequently drew and painted.
Will there be further publications about Ai's research?
Not confirmed in the source.
Ai, Japanese chimpanzee who counted and painted, dies at 49 2 hours ago Share Save Koh Ewe Getty Images When she was not participating in cognitive tests, Ai was known…
Sources
- Ai, Japanese chimpanzee who counted and painted dies at 49
- Genius Chimpanzee Ai Dies at Age 49, Primate Known for …
- Ai (chimpanzee)
- Cloudbet Remembers 'Genius Chimpanzee' Ai on Her 49th …
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