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

Could Google’s Veo 3 Signal the Dawn of Interactive World Models?

In recent years, the AI community has seen significant advancements in the development of models that can generate realistic environments and sequences. However, there remains an important distinction between video-generation models and what are known as “world models.” While video gen models craft visually convincing sequences, world models aim to emulate the underlying dynamics of real-world environments. This capability enables AI agents to anticipate how the environment will respond to their actions, paving the way for more interactive and autonomous systems.

Google appears to be making strategic moves toward this ambitious goal. The tech giant’s latest projects suggest an effort to evolve its multimodal foundation model, Gemini 2.5 Pro, into a sophisticated world model mimicking certain aspects of human cognition.

Notably, in December, DeepMind introduced Genie 2, a groundbreaking model capable of creating a virtually unlimited array of playable worlds. This development marked a significant step toward interactive virtual environments that resemble video games in complexity and engagement. The following month, reports emerged about Google’s formation of a dedicated team focused on developing AI systems capable of simulating real-world physics and environments.

These initiatives highlight a potential shift in AI research—moving from static content generation towards dynamic, interactive simulations that could transform gaming, training, and even real-world decision-making. If Google’s efforts with Veo 3 and Gemini 2.5 Pro succeed, they could mark the beginning of a new era where AI-driven world models become a fundamental component of virtual and real-world applications alike.

Stay tuned as these developments unfold, promising exciting possibilities at the intersection of artificial intelligence and interactive virtual environments.