We used to lie awake worrying about how robots will take over the planet. Now, in light of recent news, we feel a lot better about our future robot overlords' softer, gentler sides. A few weeks ago, the Portland Guinea Pig Rescue in Oregon asked a scientist to develop an artificial intelligence animal-namer and the results are amazing. Janelle Shane, according to her blog, used a database of existing guinea pig names to develop a neural network that generates new monikers for the rescue's many piggies. Wouldn't you love to invite Buzzberry and After Pie into your home? "Neural networks are a type of computer program that mimic the way human brains learn," Shane wrote on Tumblr.

As literally every sci-fi movie has predicted, we're becoming increasingly reliant on artificial intelligence. AI can already compose music, play Ms. Pac-Man--like a pro, nonetheless--and even manage a hotel. But it's never been used solely for the purpose of naming small, fluffy guinea pigs--until now. Earlier this week, research scientist Janelle Shane got a fantastically unusual request from the Portland Guinea Pig Rescue, asking if she could build a neural network for guinea pig names. The rescue facility needs to generate a large number of names quickly, as they frequently take in animals from hoarding situations.