The Next Great AI Race Is Not About Words
TechTarget, Tuesday, August 19th, 2025
Major AI companies race to build world models that predict real-world outcomes rather than generate text.
Google DeepMind, NVIDIA, Meta, and well-funded startups are competing to develop world models that anticipate the consequences of actions rather than simply generating text.
Unlike large language models that predict the next word, these systems aim to determine what happens when a robot reaches for a glass or how an autonomous vehicle navigates a scenario.
The technology could let AI operate in the physical world across robotics, manufacturing, and autonomous vehicles. Leading researchers believe world models may be essential for achieving artificial general intelligence, attracting billions in investment despite unclear definitions and unproven capabilities.