Bonobos are an endangered species of African great ape with as few as 15,000 individuals left in the wild. Understanding bonobo behavior is critical to saving the species. Using virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI), Dr. Francine Dolins collaborates with the Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) to learn more about the psychology of apes and humans.

Meet Francine Dolins

Francine Dolins, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at University of Michigan-Dearborn.

 

Virtual Reality

Dr. Dolins is a comparative psychologist, which means she studies animal behavior in order to learn more about human behaviors. Dr. Dolins and her collaborators use virtual reality (VR) as a way of testing humans and non-human species.

 

Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Dolins and her collaborators compare the actions of artificial intelligence (AI) agents—virtual entities that can make their own decisions—to primates’ to learn how different strategies are created. The data generated by AI agents gives insight into the learning processes of individuals and species.

Richard Lewis, PhD, is Professor of Psychology, Linguistics and Cognitive Science in the Department of Psychology at University of Michigan.

 

Apes at Work

The Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa, is the only research facility in the world dedicated to the study of bonobo cognition and behavior. Dr. Dolins and her team have collaborated with ACCI since 2013. 

Amanda Epping, Research Coordinator at ACCI works closely with the bonobos on research projects to help collect data.

 

Kanzi in Adventureland

Dr. Dolins and her team introduce Kanzi and Teco to a new game and also, for the first time, an ape avatar. In the future, scientists will be able to study social cognition skills like cooperation by observing how primates interact with other avatars.

 

Meet the Bonobos

ACCI is home to 7 bonobos. Kanzi and Teco are able to communicate with lexigrams—symbols that represent words—and take part in many research projects.

TECO
Born: June 1, 2010
Favorite foods: grapes and blueberries.
Behaviors: playful, energetic and a quick learner.

KANZI
Born October 28, 1980
Favorite foods: bananas, grapes and peanuts.
Behaviors: assertive, engaging and afraid of storms
Kanzi is regarded as the first great ape to demonstrate an understanding of spoken English.

 

 

 

© 2025 Regents of the University of Michigan