However, while the Monkey World experiment is expected to take place next year, there are a number of obstacles to overcome before it can be given the go-ahead, with some experts raising concerns about the idea. Meanwhile, a number of apes at zoos and sanctuaries around the world are learning to interact with humans via technological interfaces as part of the Apps for Apes initiative.

The musician’s confidence in the apes’ intelligence can be traced back to a separate experiment in which bonobos at a research center in Atlanta were given keyboards to play around with, before taking part in a jam session with Gabriel himself – with successful results. “I am absolutely certain the monkeys will use the video cameras in Monkey World to communicate with each other,” Gabriel told the Sunday Times. The first stage of this endeavour will see apes at the chimpanzee rescue center Monkey World, based in Dorset in the U.K., given access to video conferencing equipment in the hope that they will use it to interact. Launched in early 2013, the project aims to tap into the full potential of the Internet by using it not only to connect people with one another, but with members of other species too – although it's not clear what monkeys will take part in the study. The experiment is part of the Interspecies Internet Project, run by four pioneering individuals including former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel. are about to undergo a new intelligence challenge which aims test their ability to communicate via video conferencing technology.

They still haven’t recreated the works of Shakespeare on typewriters, but a number of apes in the U.K.

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