What are world models?
They try to represent how an environment changes and what consequences particular actions have.
How are they different from language models?
The focus is on the state of the world, how it changes and what could happen next — not just on sequences of words.
Where are they being researched?
In robotics, simulations, games and planning.
Are they an exact copy of the world?
No. Every model is a simplification and can fail in unexpected situations.
Why do they matter for agents?
Because to act safely, it helps to estimate the consequences before the system does anything.
Remember: A simulated future is a model, not a guaranteed event.
Reliable sources
Last reviewed 1 November 2026. An explainer, not professional, legal or medical advice. For rules and figures that change, check the official version.