Yann LeCun: Inference-Time Gradient Optimization is Foundational to Objective-Driven AI
willdepue · x · 2026-08-03
In a recent discussion, Yann LeCun pointed out that using optimization at inference time is a foundational concept of Energy-Based Models (EBM) and Objective-Driven AI architectures (ODAI).
He explained that when the variables to be inferred are continuous, it makes sense to use gradient-based optimization. A good instance of ODAI is world model-based systems, which use gradient-based optimization for planning.
Related event: LeCun Backs Inference-Time Optimization for Goal-Driven AI(4 posts)→
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