Google DeepMind Forms Team to Develop Advanced AI World Models

The initiative aims to simulate physical environments for applications in gaming, robotics, and the pursuit of artificial general intelligence.

Google DeepMind has announced the creation of a new research team focused on building 'world models,' AI systems capable of simulating real-world environments and dynamics.
The team will be led by Tim Brooks, a former OpenAI researcher, who joined DeepMind in October 2024 to work on video generation and simulation technologies.
World models are designed to enhance AI's ability to understand and predict physical interactions, with potential uses in video games, robotics training, and real-time interactive media.
The project aligns with Google's broader goal of achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) and will integrate with existing AI projects like the Gemini, Veo, and Genie models.
Competitors such as Nvidia, Fei-Fei Li's World Labs, and other startups are also advancing similar technologies, raising questions about data sourcing, copyright, and the impact on creative industries.