Beyond the Script: Sanja Fidler’s Veeda AI and the Quest for Physical World Models

### The Architecture of Reality

As first reported by BetaKit, Sanja Fidler, the former head of Nvidia’s Toronto AI lab and a University of Toronto associate professor, has launched a new startup called Veeda AI. In a LinkedIn post, Fidler stated the company's sole mission is to build a "simulated reality for Physical AI," arguing that world models—AI trained on physical, spatial, and movement data—are "where the next breakthrough lies."

In my view, while Fidler is targeting robotics, the implications for any simulated environment are profound. Veeda AI is attempting to create an infrastructure layer where the environment is not just a backdrop, but a physics-aware entity capable of autonomous interaction.

### The Powerhouse Behind Veeda AI

Fidler is not embarking on this venture alone. BetaKit reports that she has partnered with longtime Nvidia colleagues Zan Gojcic, who serves as CTO, and Huan Ling, who serves as the company's chief scientist.

Together, the team is focusing on world models designed to simulate the physical world. Fidler’s conviction is that this technology will become the "critical infrastructure layer for all areas of robotics," allowing systems to interact with the physical world based on learned physical laws rather than scripted interactions.

### The Financial Engine

Building a simulated reality is an expensive endeavor. According to reporting from The Logic, as cited by BetaKit, Veeda AI has already raised $90 million USD (approximately $124 million CAD) from investors.

The funding comes from a mix of regional and global powerhouses, including Toronto’s Radical Ventures and Silicon Valley-based Khosla Ventures. Corporate filings further reveal that the company, officially incorporated in June, operates under the name Veeda Innovation.