Trend Trend 13: world models let AI learn physics and predict what happens next

Summary

The thirteenth trend in CB Insights' outlook is that AI is learning how the physical world works. So-called world models simulate environments so that AI can predict what will happen next. These systems learn physics from video, images and simulation, building an understanding of the world that lets them anticipate future states. CB Insights calls them AI's next frontier, and leading researchers are founding startups on the bet that they will enable spatial intelligence beyond what language models can do. Big technology companies are also investing, and mentions on earnings calls are rising. Autonomous vehicles and robotics are the first commercial battlegrounds, though many labs are still in the research phase.