🧠 This AI thinks more like a brain

Also, Saudi Arabia doesn’t want to play catch-up. It wants the lead.

Author

Felix Khakame
December 08, 2025

Sakana AI's new model breaks from tradition and it's surprisingly human

Sakana AI just introduced the Continuous Thought Machine (CTM), a model built around one overlooked idea in AI: time. Instead of treating neurons as static calculators, CTM uses the rhythm and synchronization between neurons to reason through problems.

Here's everything you need to know:

  • Unlike traditional AI, CTM doesn’t just react—it thinks step by step.

  • Each neuron in CTM can access its own history, mimicking real brain behavior.

  • Synchronization between neurons isn’t just a quirk; it’s the core representation.

  • CTM doesn't need to be trained to trace mazes—it just figures it out.

  • When looking at images, its attention mimics human eye movement.

  • The more time CTM spends thinking, the better its answers get.

  • CTM shows diverse, emergent behaviors not seen in classic neural nets.

Treating time as a first-class citizen in AI might be the next paradigm shift. Sakana AI isn’t mimicking biology for nostalgia’s sake—they’re betting it leads to better intelligence. If that gamble pays off, CTM could be remembered as the moment AI got a little more alive.

Read the complete breakthrough

Crown Prince MBS bets big on AI with new company: Humain

Saudi Arabia is doubling down on its ambition to lead in AI. On Monday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of Humain, a state-backed company focused on building core AI technologies and infrastructure.

  • Humain will operate under the Public Investment Fund, Saudi’s $700B+ sovereign wealth fund.

  • The company plans to develop advanced AI models and cloud infrastructure.

  • Data centers and compute power are a major focus a clear bid to attract global AI players.

  • This move aligns with Vision 2030, the kingdom's broader plan to diversify beyond oil.

  • Saudi wants to become the leading AI hub outside the U.S.

  • Humain enters a competitive space dominated by the U.S. and China.

  • Salesforce has already committed $500M to AI investments in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s approach isn’t subtle they’re building a sovereign AI stack from scratch. Whether Humain succeeds will depend on more than just money. Talent, openness, and execution will decide if it becomes a real AI force or just another PR moonshot.