Google says its new ‘world model’ could train AI robots in virtual warehouses
Google has outlined its latest step towards artificial general intelligence (AGI) with a new model that allows AI systems to interact with a convincing simulation of the real world,The Genie 3 “world model” could be used to train robots and autonomous vehicles as they engage with realistic recreations of environments such as warehouses, according to Google,The US technology company’s AI division, Google DeepMind, argues that world models are a key step to achieving AGI, a hypothetical level of AI where a system can carry out most tasks on a par with humans – rather than just individual tasks such as playing chess or translating languages – and potentially do someone’s job,DeepMind said such models would play an important role in the development of AI agents, or systems that carry out tasks autonomously,“We expect this technology to play a critical role as we push toward AGI, and agents play a greater role in the world,” DeepMind said.
However, Google said Genie 3 was not yet ready for full public release and did not give a date for its launch, adding that the model had a range of limitations.The announcement comes amid ever-increasing competition in the AI market.On Sunday Sam Altman, the chief executive of ChatGPT’s developer, OpenAI, shared a screenshotof what appeared to be the company’s latest AI model, GPT-5.Google said its world model could also help humans to experience a range of simulations for training or exploring, replicating experiences such as skiing or walking around a mountain lake.Genie 3 creates its scenarios immediately from text prompts, according to DeepMind, and the simulated environment can be altered quickly – by for instance, introducing a herd of deer on to a ski slope – with further text prompts.
The tech company showed the Genie 3-created skiing and warehouse scenarios to journalists on Monday but is not yet releasing the model to the public,The quality of the simulations seen by the Guardian are on a par with Google’s latest video creation model, Veo 3, but they last minutes rather than the eight seconds offered by Veo 3,While AGI has been viewed through the prism of potentially eliminating white-collar jobs, as autonomous systems carry out an array of roles from sales agent to lawyer or accountant, world models are viewed by Google as a key technology for developing robots and autonomous vehicles,For instance, a recreation of a warehouse with realistic physics and people could help to train a robot, as a simulation it “learned” from in training helps it achieve its goal,Google has also created a virtual agent, Sima, which can carry out tasks in video game settings although, like Genie 3, it is not publicly available.
Sign up to Business TodayGet set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morningafter newsletter promotionProf Subramanian Ramamoorthy, the chair of robot learning and autonomy at the University of Edinburgh, said world models were “extremely important” for robot development, adding: “To achieve flexible decision-making robots need to anticipate the consequences of different actions to choose the best one to execute in the physical world.”Andrew Rogoyski of the Institute for People-Centred AI at the University of Surrey, said world models could also help large language models – the technology that underpins chatbots such as ChatGPT.“If you give a disembodied AI the ability to be embodied, albeit virtually, then the AI can explore the world, or a world – and grow in capabilities as a result,” he said.“While AIs are trained on vast quantities of internet data, allowing an AI to explore the world physically will add an important dimension to the creation of more powerful and intelligent AIs.”In a research note accompanying the Sima announcement last year, Google researchers said world models were important because large language models were effective at tasks such as planning but not at taking action on a human’s behalf.
BP begins costs review as quarterly profits of £1.77bn beat forecast
The oil and gas group BP is launching a fresh cost-cutting scheme, despite reporting better-than-expected profits, as it tries to do more for its shareholders to fend off pressure from activist investors.The fossil fuel company said it would begin a fresh review of its business when its new chair, Albert Manifold, joins the board in September.BP reported a rise in profits to $2.35bn (£1.77bn) between April and June, a drop of 15% on the same period a year earlier when the company benefited from higher oil and gas prices
Chinese carmakers led by BYD report big rises in UK sales in July
Chinese carmakers led by BYD reported big jumps in UK sales last month, despite a declining overall car market, including a 59% slump in sales from their electric vehicle rival Tesla.BYD sales quadrupled year on year to reach 3,200 in July, even as overall sales of all types of car declined by 5% to 140,000, according to data published on Tuesday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a lobby group.The car industry has said it is struggling with a weak economy, which is holding back consumer spending.At the same time, carmakers are waiting for clarity on which models will be eligible for subsidies of up to £3,750 under a new grant scheme announced by the UK government last month. The government on Tuesday said that four Citroën models would be eligible for the grant
UK services sector has biggest fall in orders for nearly three years
The UK’s dominant service sector has reported its biggest drop in new orders in almost three years in July, adding to pressure on the Bank of England to cut interest rates on Thursday.Sounding the alarm over a loss of momentum amid a worsening global economic backdrop, the data provider S&P Global Market Intelligence said total new work in the sector, which accounts for about 80% of the economy, eased to the slowest pace since November 2022.The survey of 650 companies in the sector, which includes finance, IT, communications and property but excludes retail, is closely watched by the Bank and the government for early warning signs from the economy.Threadneedle Street is widely expected to cut borrowing costs at its next policy meeting on Thursday from the current level of 4.25% amid growing concerns about the strength of the economy
Domino’s Pizza profits dive as people cut back on takeaways in UK
Domino’s Pizza said the takeaway market had “become tougher” as it blamed weaker consumer confidence in the run-up to the autumn budget and rising wage costs for lower-than-expected sales and a slump in profits.After a drop of nearly 15% in half-year profits, the company now expected full-year underlying profits of between £130m and £140m, about £6m below analysts’ expectations.Domino’s said it was gaining market share but its franchise partners were being more cautious about opening new outlets because of higher employment costs. Employers’ national insurance payments and the legal minimum wage were both increased in April.The company opened 11 stores in the six months to the end of June, fewer than expected, and is now forecasting openings in the mid-20s for the full year
Neil Woodford and his investment firm fined almost £46m over fund failings
The former star stock picker Neil Woodford and his investment management company have been fined almost £46m by the UK’s financial regulator over the collapse of his popular equity fund.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has given Woodford a penalty of £5.89m and banned him from holding senior manager roles and managing funds for retail investors and fined Woodford Investment Management (WIM) £40m.The penalties are for failures in their management of the flagship Woodford Equity Income Fund (WEIF), which closed in October 2019 after investors, including many ordinary retail customers, rushed to withdraw money in response to the poor performance of a number of company investments, including some hard-to-sell illiquid assets.The value of the fund fell from a high of more than £10
Guinness owner Diageo’s profits slump as it warns of $200m Trump tariff hit
The world’s biggest spirits company, Diageo, has revealed a slump in annual profits and expanded its cost-cutting plan as it searches for a new boss after the resignation of the chief executive, Debra Crew.The FTSE 100 company, which owns brands including Guinness, Johnnie Walker whisky, Gordon’s gin and Smirnoff vodka, reported a nearly 28% fall in operating profit in the 12 months to the end of June compared with a year earlier.The drinks maker also upped its target for cost savings from £500m to £625m. The interim CEO, Nik Jhangiani, said the savings were “not about job cuts”, adding that while some roles would go, the overall workforce could still increase.The figures come weeks after the surprise announcement that the group had begun the hunt for a successor to Crew, who it said had stepped down “by mutual agreement”, after a period of investor disquiet over its declining share price
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UK pornography taskforce to propose banning ‘barely legal’ content after Channel 4 documentary airs