--- title: "This Neural Network Gives Kittens A+ Names Like “Mr Sinister”" description: "With the help from research scientist Janelle Shane, an animal refuge created a neural network that came up with a series of weird and cute cat names." date: "2019-06-07" modified: "2019-06-07" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/neural-network-kittens-names" categories: - "Artificial Intelligence" tags: - "cat" - "names" - "neural network" - "the digest" --- # This Neural Network Gives Kittens A+ Names Like “Mr Sinister” ![With the help from research scientist Janelle Shane, an animal refuge created a neural network that came up with a series of weird and cute cat names.]() *\Image: Victor Tangermann\* ## Naming Rescues AI is coming after all our jobs — including, now, giving adorable names to adoptable foster kitties so volunteers don't have to suffer through the arduous task. With the help from research scientist Janelle Shane, the Morris Animal Refuge in Philadelphia [created a neural network]() that came up with a series of kitty names, ranging from cute as hell to somewhat weird and disconcerting. The AI was trained by OpenAI, an AI research company co-founded by Elon Musk, on data from a "huge chunk of the internet," which taught it "which words and letter combinations to avoid," [according to Shane's website](). ## "Scat Cat Butthole" The AI came up with names like "Mr. Sinister," "Fudge Putty," "Peanutbutterjiggles," and "Whiskeridoo." But things took a nasty turn for some of these innocent adoptable kittens. Some extremely unlucky cats got names like "Scat Cat Butthole," "Kill All Humans," "Serendipitous Kill," "Stranglehold," and "Bones of the Master." As [*CNET* points out](), Shane has also created similar neural networks that spit out [cookie names]() and even [Dungeons & Dragons monsters](). It's all in good fun of course — and could actually prove useful for a shelter that has to deal with a big load of rescues all at once. Besides, the publicity could help get the kittens get adopted faster. In fact, Mr. Sinister has [already found]() his "furever home." **READ MORE:** [An AI neural network is giving cats the terrifying names they deserve]() \[*CNET*\] **More on neural networks:** *[Watch an AI Die, Neuron by Neuron]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()