A network of AI neurons gives cats the terrifying names they deserve

Sparky Buttons has eye damage caused by an infection he contracted while he was a wandering baby, but he is still a powerhouse in hugs and games. And do not be fooled by the name of Mr. Sinister. He is also a hug.

These adoptable kittens, along with their friends Tom Glitter, Pompompur and Whiskeridoo, have all been named by a network of artificial neurons.

The Morris Animal Refuge in Philadelphia has teamed up with research scientist Janelle Shane. Shane has formed a network of neurons to name cats, and the results are cute, strange and sometimes downright horrific.

Originally, she had formed a network by giving her 8,000 cat names, but artificial intelligence had stumbled, giving names like Hurler and Retchion. Shane revisited the challenge with an AI that had a lot more context and resulted with a long list of cat names. This time it was (a little) more successful.

The neural network suggested adorable names such as "Notion", "Monocle" and "Mr. Tinklesby Linklater Soap". Sometimes he went south with ideas such as "Scat Cat Butthole", "Fudge Putty" and "BUTT". On occasion, he alluded to a dark twist of thought with "warning signs", "Bones of the Master" and "Kill All Humans". You can read a more complete list on Shane's website.

Shane has become the benchmark for entertaining neural network names. She had previously trained AI systems to develop cookie names (Maples Hallowy, apricot dream moles) and D & D monsters (Spectral limit, Jabberwont).

The Morris Animal Refuge had previously adopted neural network names for guinea pigs and he hoped that kittens and cats would receive a surge of adoption thanks to their amusing and fantastic AI nicknames.

It seems to work. Mr. Sinister was adoptedMorris Animal Refuge announced Monday.