World Labs, co-founded by AI pioneer Dr. Fei-Fei Li, is pushing the boundaries of generative AI into spatial intelligence – the ability of AI to perceive, generate, and interact with the 3D world. This move comes as the industry rapidly evolves beyond chatbots, images, and videos, with spatial intelligence poised to become the “defining challenge of the next decade.”
The Rise of World Models
World Labs secured $230 million in funding last fall to build “world models” – AI systems capable of understanding and creating 3D environments. The company’s first commercial product, Marble, allows users to generate downloadable 3D worlds from text, image, or video prompts. This technology has the potential to transform industries ranging from storytelling and filmmaking to architecture, robotics, and scientific discovery.
How Marble Works
Marble operates on a subscription model, offering four tiers:
- Free: Up to four world generations.
- Standard ($20/month): Up to 12 generations with more editing options.
- Pro ($35/month): Up to 25 generations with commercial rights.
- Max ($95/month): Up to 75 generations with all features.
Users can create environments like open-air castles, ruined structures, or Hobbit-like homes. While current generations have limitations (users can hit “walls” in the 3D space), downloadable files are compatible with industry-standard tools like Unreal Engine and Unity.
The Potential Impact
World Labs envisions Marble as a tool for rapid prototyping and iteration, empowering individuals and teams to build 3D worlds much faster than traditional methods. According to co-founder Ben Mildenhall, the technology could radically change how people ideate, edit, and refine 3D spaces.
Applications Across Industries
The implications extend beyond entertainment:
- Storytelling & Filmmaking: Authors and filmmakers could use Marble to visualize and develop imagined worlds.
- Architecture & Design: Professionals could rapidly prototype and iterate on building designs.
- Data Visualization: Companies could leverage the technology to analyze and visualize large datasets in 3D.
The Future of Spatial Intelligence
Dr. Li believes Marble represents just the beginning, with the potential to unlock “emerging behaviors” that go beyond human imagination. As the technology matures, spatial intelligence is expected to become a core component of AI development, driving innovation across multiple sectors.
This marks a significant shift in generative AI, moving beyond 2D outputs to immersive 3D experiences. The race to build intelligent spatial models is on, and World Labs is positioning itself as a key player in this emerging frontier
