mlsanityData to 14 Oct 2026

The Global Neural World Model: Spatially Grounded Discrete Topologies for Action-Conditioned Planning

arXiv 2604.16585 ↗First posted 17 Apr 2026cs.LG cs.AIcited by 0

On the map: World models → Latent predictive world models

Abstract (arXiv)

We present the Global Neural World Model (GNWM), a self-stabilizing framework that achieves topological quantization through balanced continuous entropy constraints. Operating as a continuous, action-conditioned Joint-Embedding Predictive Architecture (JEPA), the GNWM maps environments onto a discrete 2D grid, enforcing translational equivariance without pixel-level reconstruction. Our results show this architecture prevents manifold drift during autoregressive rollouts by using grid ``snapping'' as a native error-correction mechanism. Furthermore, by training via maximum entropy exploration (random walks), the model learns generalized transition dynamics rather than memorizing specific expert trajectories. We validate the GNWM across passive observation, active agent control, and abstract sequence regimes, demonstrating its capacity to act not just as a spatial physics simulator, but as a causal discovery model capable of organizing continuous, predictable concepts into structured topological maps.

Key facts. No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026). Placed in Latent predictive world models, one of 11 directions in World models. Builds on 3 of its 7 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 17 Apr 2026.

Builds on

3 of 7 references.

References · 3

  1. 2020A Simple Framework for Contrastive Learning of Visual Representationscited by 12,049
  2. 2021Barlow Twins: Self-Supervised Learning via Redundancy Reductioncited by 1,838
  3. 2018World Modelscited by 1,513

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  1. 2026VisualPatchWorld: Code World Models as Latent Structured Representations for Planning
  2. 2026HaM-World: Soft-Hamiltonian World Models with Selective Memory for Planning
  3. 2026LRC-JEPA: Disentangling Dynamics and Residual Context for Efficient World Models
  4. 2024One-shot World Models Using a Transformer Trained on a Synthetic Prior
  5. 2026Delta-JEPA: Learning Action-Sensitive World Models via Latent Difference Decoding
  6. 2025WALL-E 2.0: World Alignment by NeuroSymbolic Learning improves World Model-based LLM Agents
  7. 2025SmallWorlds: Assessing Dynamics Understanding of World Models in Isolated Environments
  8. 2026WALL-SS: Scaling Long-horizon World Models via Next-Scale Autoregression