“Could Google’s Veo 3 be the start of playable world models?”

Could Google’s Veo 3 Mark the Dawn of Interactive, Playable World Models?

In recent developments within artificial intelligence, a significant shift is taking place—moving from traditional data generation to simulating complex, dynamic environments. Unlike video synthesis models, which focus on creating realistic visual sequences, world models are designed to emulate the behavior and evolution of real-world systems. This allows AI agents to predict and respond to changes within their environment, unlocking new possibilities for interactive and immersive applications.

Google is at the forefront of this transition. The tech giant is aiming to transform its advanced multimodal AI foundation, Gemini 2.5 Pro, into a comprehensive world model capable of mimicking aspects of human cognition and environmental interaction. This initiative could potentially pioneer a new era where AI-driven environments are not just static visuals but fully interactive and ‘playable’ worlds.

This vision aligns with earlier efforts by DeepMind, which introduced Genie 2 in December 2024. Genie 2 can generate a vast array of interactive worlds that resemble video games, offering seemingly endless possibilities for exploration and engagement. Just a month later, reports surfaced indicating Google’s formation of a dedicated team to develop AI models capable of simulating physical environments with remarkable fidelity.

The development of Google’s Veo 3 and its associated projects suggests a future where AI worlds are not only visually realistic but also richly interactive—potentially revolutionizing fields such as gaming, training simulations, virtual collaboration, and more. As these technologies evolve, they may redefine our understanding of digital interaction, blurring the lines between virtual and real-world experiences.

Stay tuned for more insights into how these advancements could shape our digital landscapes in the near future.