Artificial intelligence model developer World Labs Inc. has announced a $1 billion funding round. The investment was led by major technology firms including Nvidia Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc., and Autodesk Inc.
Autodesk contributed $200 million, signaling a strategic research collaboration focused on AI development. World Labs, founded in 2024 by AI researcher Fei-Fei Li, specializes in "world models"-neural networks that generate interactive three-dimensional virtual environments.
The company's first AI model, Marble, debuted in November. It generates 3D environments from text, images, and videos, with a refinement tool called Chisel allowing for modifications via natural language.
Key applications for Marble include robotics software development, where it can create virtual replicas of operating environments for AI model training and simulation. World Labs also plans to enhance its focus on the robotics market, seeking engineers for SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) systems and 3D reconstruction specialists.
Autodesk intends to integrate World Labs' technology into its engineering and design tools, initially targeting the entertainment sector by automating visual asset creation for media and entertainment companies. This significant funding follows a recent $315 million investment in fellow world model startup Runway Inc., also backed by Nvidia and AMD.