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Roundtables: Can AI Learn to Understand the World?

Subscriber-only MIT Technology Review roundtable discussion featuring editor in chief Mat Honan, senior AI editor Will Douglas Heaven, and AI reporter Grace Huckins, recorded on May 21, 2026. The conversation explores how AI companies are working to build "world models" that can understand and interact with the physical world, moving beyond the limitations of current large language models (LLMs). The piece also highlights related content, including Stanford's 2026 AI Index and a list of the top 10 AI trends for the year.

read1 min views18 publishedMay 21, 2026

Roundtables: Can AI Learn to Understand the World? Watch a subscriber-only discussion exploring how AI might enter the physical world. Available only for MIT Alumni and subscribers. Listen to the session or watch below AI companies want to build systems that understand the external world and overcome the limitations of LLMs. Recent developments have brought world models to the forefront of the AI discussion. Watch a conversation with editor in chief Mat Honan, senior AI editor Will Douglas Heaven, and AI reporter Grace Huckins exploring how AI might enter the physical world. Speakers: Mat Honan, Editor in Chief, Will Douglas Heaven, AI Senior Editor, and Grace Huckins, AI Reporter Recorded on May 21, 2026 Related Stories: Deep Dive Artificial intelligence Want to understand the current state of AI? Check out these charts. According to Stanford’s 2026 AI Index, AI is sprinting, and we’re struggling to keep up. 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now MIT Technology Review's authoritative overview of the 10 technologies, emerging trends, bold ideas, and powerful movements in AI in 2026. Musk v. Altman week 1: Elon Musk says he was duped, warns AI could kill us all, and admits that xAI distills OpenAI’s models Musk kept his cool, and OpenAI’s lawyer bulldozed him with piercing questions about his motivations for suing the company. A new US phone network for Christians aims to block porn and gender-related content Launching next week on T-Mobile's network, the cell plan takes a nuclear approach to online safety. Stay connected Get the latest updates from MIT Technology Review Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.

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