Editorial illustration for DeepMind's Hassabis Targets World Models as Next Major AI Breakthrough
DeepMind's Next AI Frontier: Breakthrough World Models
DeepMind CEO Hassabis says world models are AI’s next frontier amid bubble
As artificial intelligence races forward, DeepMind's Demis Hassabis is already looking beyond the current generative AI hype. The company's CEO is quietly shifting focus to what he believes could be the next major breakthrough: world models.
While tech headlines buzz about large language models and image generators, Hassabis is diving deep into a more complex challenge. His research is centered on AI systems that can understand and simulate entire environments, not just generate isolated outputs.
Early signals of this approach are already emerging in projects like SIMA 2 and the video-generation model Genie 3. These aren't just incremental improvements, but potential glimpses of a radically different AI paradigm.
For Hassabis, world models represent more than a technical curiosity. They're a pathway to creating AI that can truly comprehend context, predict outcomes, and interact with complex systems in more nuanced ways.
The race is on to build AI that doesn't just respond, but genuinely understands.
World models as the next AI frontier While Gemini 3 is rolling out, Hassabis is already focusing on the next research frontier: world models. He spends most of his research time on this topic, citing projects like SIMA 2 and the video-generation model Genie 3 as examples. According to Hassabis, these models, already used internally for training robots and other agents, will be critical to achieving AGI.
He predicts a "ChatGPT moment" for world models, but the biggest obstacles are the price and current technical hurdles. "We'd love to put Genie in the hands of more people, but it's expensive," Hassabis said, explaining that "basically, a consumer of it is another instance of the creation of it." Before scaling is possible, he noted, challenges such as "making it consistent longer than a minute" must also be solved. Hassabis warns of AI bubble, affirms Google's "Engine Room" strategy When asked about a potential AI bubble, Hassabis offered a nuanced view.
Demis Hassabis sees world models as AI's next major leap. His focus isn't just incremental improvement, but a fundamental shift in how artificial intelligence understands and predicts complex environments.
Projects like SIMA 2 and Genie 3 hint at the potential. These internal models are already training robots and generating video sequences, suggesting something bigger is brewing at DeepMind.
The CEO anticipates a "ChatGPT moment" for world models - a breakthrough that could dramatically reshape AI's capabilities. But significant challenges remain, particularly around computational cost and technical complexity.
While Gemini 3 rolls out, Hassabis is looking beyond current achievements. His research time is increasingly dedicated to world models, indicating he views them as critical for approaching artificial general intelligence.
Still, the path isn't straightforward. The biggest obstacles aren't just technological, but economic - the immense price of developing these advanced systems could slow progress. Yet Hassabis seems undeterred, positioning DeepMind at the potential forefront of this next AI frontier.
Further Reading
- World Models: Five Competing Approaches - Themesis
- AI Horizons: Expert Predictions for 2026 and Beyond - Genesis Human Experience
- Google 2025 recap: Research breakthroughs of the year - Google Blog
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Common Questions Answered
What are world models, and why does Demis Hassabis consider them the next major AI breakthrough?
World models are AI systems capable of understanding and simulating entire environments, going beyond current generative AI capabilities. Hassabis believes these models represent a fundamental shift in artificial intelligence, allowing AI to comprehend and predict complex scenarios more holistically, with projects like SIMA 2 and Genie 3 serving as early examples of this promising technology.
How do DeepMind's current world model projects like SIMA 2 and Genie 3 demonstrate potential for future AI development?
SIMA 2 and Genie 3 are internal DeepMind projects that showcase world models' practical applications, such as training robots and generating video sequences. These models represent early steps towards Hassabis's vision of AI systems that can understand and simulate entire environments, potentially paving the way for artificial general intelligence (AGI).
What does Hassabis mean by anticipating a 'ChatGPT moment' for world models?
When Hassabis refers to a 'ChatGPT moment' for world models, he suggests a breakthrough that could dramatically transform AI capabilities, similar to how ChatGPT revolutionized language AI. This implies a potential paradigm shift where world models could suddenly demonstrate unprecedented ability to understand, simulate, and predict complex environmental interactions.