GoKawiilAI researcher Danijar Hafner builds world models to let robots plan for surprises
Danijar Hafner is developing 'world models' — AI systems that simulate physical reality — and training reinforcement-learning agents inside them so robots can anticipate outcomes before acting in the real world. This model-based approach lets agents rehearse complex tasks virtually, avoiding the costly trial-and-error training typical of conventional robotics. Hafner, a former Google Brain and DeepMind researcher who worked alongside figures like Geoffrey Hinton, is now recognized as a rising talent in AI research.