TLDRs;
- Nvidia joins a $1 billion funding round to back World Labs’ 3D AI innovation
- Autodesk contributes $200 million partnering with World Labs to integrate AI with design tools
- World Labs builds AI systems capable of perceiving and interacting with complex 3D environments
- The $1 billion investment reflects growing industry focus on AI that understands three-dimensional space
Nvidia (NVDA) has taken a leading role in a $1 billion funding round for World Labs, a startup specializing in spatial intelligence and 3D world modeling.
The investment round, which also includes AMD, Autodesk, Emerson Collective, Fidelity, and Sea, highlights growing industry confidence in AI systems capable of perceiving and reasoning in three-dimensional spaces.
The funding will support the development of World Labs’ flagship tool, Marble, which enables the creation of high-fidelity 3D worlds from images, videos, or even text prompts. Analysts say this signals a shift in AI from traditional 2D image and text analysis toward immersive spatial reasoning, a trend that could reshape industries from entertainment to robotics and scientific research.
Autodesk Partnership Drives Commercialization
A notable feature of the round is the strategic partnership with Autodesk, a leading 3D design software company that contributed $200 million. The collaboration gives Autodesk an advisory role and establishes joint research and model development initiatives.
Autodesk plans to explore how World Labs’ “world models”, AI systems that simulate aspects of the real world, can integrate with its tools, particularly for entertainment and architectural projects. According to Autodesk’s chief scientist, customers will soon be able to start with a rough world-model sketch in World Labs and refine it with Autodesk software, bridging the gap between AI-generated concepts and professional design workflows.
Advancing Spatial Intelligence in AI
World Labs defines spatial intelligence as AI that can reason about how the 3D world operates, rather than relying solely on 2D inputs like text or images. The company’s systems aim to perceive, generate, and interact with complex 3D environments, creating a foundation for smarter robots, more realistic simulations, and immersive storytelling.
The World API, recently launched by the company, allows developers to embed Marble-generated 3D worlds into apps and workflows. This could revolutionize sectors like architecture, robotics, and virtual training, giving users the ability to explore AI-created worlds that react dynamically to changes in their environment.
Industry Momentum Shifts Toward 3D AI
This funding round positions World Labs among the leading innovators in the emerging field of AI-driven world modeling, joining the ranks of other companies like Google DeepMind that are exploring AI capable of understanding and simulating complex environments.
Experts note that investors are increasingly focused on AI applications that move beyond flat images and text. Spatial intelligence offers the potential to transform design, entertainment, scientific research, and robotics by enabling AI to operate with a richer understanding of the physical world.
For Nvidia, the investment underscores its strategy of backing AI startups that leverage its GPUs and software ecosystem to power next-generation applications. Market analysts suggest that participation in World Labs’ round could have a positive impact on Nvidia stock as the company strengthens its position in cutting-edge AI innovation.
Bottom Line
Nvidia’s involvement in the $1 billion funding round for World Labs signals growing confidence in AI systems that can reason in 3D, marking a major step toward immersive simulations and spatial intelligence applications across multiple industries.
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