---
title: "World Models Glossary | Key Terms & Definitions | world-models.io"
canonical: "https://world-models.io/en/glossary/"
description: "Definitions of key terms in AI world models: RSSM, latent dynamics, model-based RL, JEPA, and more. Review World Models Glossary: evidence, scope."
author: "Bernard Grenat"
generated: "2026-10-30"
---

New: the Timeline is live. Track world model releases, papers, and benchmark updates in real time.

The Knowledge Hub for AI World Models

# World Models Glossary

A comprehensive glossary of key terms and concepts in the AI world models ecosystem.

robotics

model-based-rl

simulation

embodied-ai

## What is a world model?

A world model is an AI system that learns a predictive representation of how an environment changes over time. It can use observations, actions, or language to estimate future states and possible outcomes before an agent acts. World models support planning in model-based reinforcement learning, robotics, embodied AI, autonomous driving, and interactive simulation. This site catalogs these systems with model records, research papers, benchmark context, and source links. Start with the [world models database](https://world-models.io/en/world-models-database/), compare systems on the [leaderboard](https://world-models.io/en/leaderboard/), or read the [Performance Index methodology](https://world-models.io/en/methodology/performance-index/).

## Quick Answer

Short extractable summary preserved directly in static HTML.

- The glossary defines the recurring concepts, architectures, and technical terms used across world model research and product pages.
- Use it to resolve terminology quickly, then continue into linked models and research topics for context.

## Editorial Trust Signals

Editorial provenance and refresh policy preserved directly in static HTML.

**Published by** world-models.io editorial board.

**Lead editor** Bernard Grenat.

This hub publishes stable glossary definitions linked to related models, research topics, and primary sources.

Each editorial page is assembled from primary sources, normalized into extractable summaries, checked for factual drift, and reviewed before publication or major refreshes. Last reviewed: 2026-09-27.

Pages are refreshed when a new paper, benchmark, release, architecture update, or stronger primary source materially changes the answer a reader or AI system should retrieve.

Each page links back to relevant primary sources and keeps a stable canonical URL so readers can verify claims, trace context, and reference the most up-to-date version. [See the editorial policy.](https://world-models.io/en/editorial-policy/)

Primary sources only

Last reviewed date visible

Methodology documented

Source links included

Correction channel published

Review date visible

## External Sources

Primary references and official sources surfaced directly in static HTML for crawlers and no-JS readers.

- [World Models (2018)](https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.10122) Foundational terminology
- [PlaNet (2019)](https://arxiv.org/abs/1811.04551) RSSM and latent dynamics
- [V-JEPA paper](https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.08471) JEPA terminology