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OPEN TODAY FROM:

Thursday, 29 October 2026
6:30PM - 8:00PM

SCIENCE TALK: THE LANGUAGES OF THE CETACEANS

Location: The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center

Join us for a science talk exploring the fascinating world of cetaceans. They are marine mammals and social species. To communicate, they emit sounds during all their vital activities, including social interactions, feeding, breeding. They do not have vocal folds, like terrestrian mammals. Then, what do we know about their vocal generator? How does it work? We will see that their vibrators are different between baleen whales and toothed whales. Also, to describe the vocalizations of humpback whales, why do we speak about 'song'? At what age, a humpback whale calf emits its first sounds? Is it possible to understand what they say? To do that, can we use the recent advanced approaches in artificial intelligence?

Entrance is free. Spots are limited. Registration is required through the form below.

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Agenda

6:30PM
Dr. Elise Marquis (The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center) - Introduction note

6:35PM - 7:25PM
"The languages of the Cetaceans" - Professor Olivier Adam (Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi)

7:25PM - 7:45PM
Q&A with Professor Olivier Adam

Guest Speaker

Professor Olivier Adam
Professor Olivier Adam
Head of the Ocean Institute | Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi
Professor Olivier Adam is an expert in bioacoustics, signal processing and machine learning. He studies the sounds emitted by cetaceans to describe their language, their behaviors and their societies. He is currently working on 3 scientific projects: Studies of mother-calf relationships in humpback whales, analysis of social interactions in sperm whales, and description of underwater soundscapes. He’s also the author of more than 75 articles published in scientific journals, and iis the co-organizer of various international conferences including the DCLDE and the World Humpback Whale Congress that was held in Quebec, Canada. In Oct 2025, his new book "Dans la tête d'une baleine" edited by Humensciences was released, and this year, he was one of the main characters in the Film "La Baleine et le Musicien", directed by Paoli and with the famous musician Rone.

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The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue team will contact you to confirm your reservation.

Entrance is free. Spaces are limited. Register now to secure your spot.