Scientists have discovered a possible driving force behind some of nature's most beautiful displays paving the way for more complex and autonomous AI. Researchers wanted to replicate the basic mechanisms behind some of the most highly organised patterns seen in the animal kingdom such as huge swirling starling murmurations and immense twisting herring shoals. Groups like these, consisting in many cases of hundreds of thousands of individual animals, appear to move as if compelled by a collective intelligence, said lead author Dr Marco Mazza, a Lecturer in Applied Mathematics, at Loughborough University. But in reality, could be down to basic survival instincts. "The beauty of nature has inspired artists, philosophers, and scientists for as long as we can remember," said Dr Mazza.