a16zGoogle DeepMind Lead Researchers on Genie 3 & the Future of World-Building
Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- August 16, 2025
- Duration
- 42m
- Channel
- a16z
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Genie 3 can generate fully interactive, persistent worlds from just text, in real time. In this episode, Google DeepMind’s Jack Parker-Holder (Research Scientist) and Shlomi Fruchter (Research Director) join Anjney Midha, Marco Mascorro, and Justine Moore of a16z, with host Erik Torenberg, to discuss how they built it, the breakthrough “special memory” feature, and the future of AI-powered gaming, robotics, and world models. They share:
- How Genie 3 generates interactive environments in real time
- Why its “special memory” feature is such a breakthrough
- The evolution of generative models and emergent behaviors
- Instruction following, text adherence, and model comparisons
- Potential applications in gaming, robotics, simulation, and more
- What’s next: Genie 4, Genie 5, and the future of world models
This conversation offers a first-hand look at one of the most advanced world models ever created. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 0:29 The Evolution of Generative Models 1:10 Real-Time Interactivity & User Experience 4:35 Applications and Use Cases 8:15 The Importance of Special Memory 13:12 Emergent Behaviors & Model Capabilities 19:45 Instruction Following & Text Adherence 20:48 Comparing Genie 3 and Other Models 21:56 The Future of World Models & Modalities 32:23 Robotics, Simulation, and Real-World Impact 37:58 Looking Ahead: Genie 4, 5, and Future World Models 40:41 Are We Living in a Simulation? Resources: Find Shlomi on X: https://x.com/shlomifruchter Find Jack on X: https://x.com/jparkerholder Find Anjney on X: https://x.com/anjneymidha Find Justine on X: https://x.com/venturetwins Find Marco on X: https://x.com/Mascobot Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details, please see a16z.com/disclosures.
SPEAKERS
Shlomi Fruchter
guestGoogle DeepMind researcher and lead on Veo 3 work, discussing Genie 3 and real-time world models.
Jack Parker-Holder
guestGoogle DeepMind researcher working on Genie 3, focusing on interactive environment/world models and RL motivations.
Erik Torenberg
hosta16z podcast host and interviewer moderating the panel conversation.
Marco Mascorro
hosta16z panelist/interviewer asking technical and forward-looking questions about Genie 3 and robotics.
Justine Moore
hosta16z panelist/interviewer engaging guests on use cases like filmmaking, games, and model capabilities.
Anjney Midha
hosta16z panelist and primary interviewer directing questions to Jack and Shlomi about Genie 3 vs Veo and agents/robotics.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of a16z, featuring Shlomi Fruchter and Jack Parker-Holder, Google DeepMind Lead Researchers on Genie 3 & the Future of World-Building explores deepMind’s Genie 3 enables real-time interactive worlds with lasting memory Genie 3 combines multiple internal research threads (Genie 2-style world generation, GameNGen-style real-time simulation, and Veo-era text adherence) into a single interactive, real-time “world model.”
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