In a groundbreaking move, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has unveiled Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency project set to reshape the future of digital identity. The core of this venture lies in its innovative offering called World ID, an exclusive account accessible only to real humans.
The process to obtain a World ID involves an in-person iris scan using Worldcoin’s cutting-edge ‘orb’, a silver ball akin to the size of a bowling ball. Once the scan verifies the user’s authenticity, a unique World ID is created.
Tools for Humanity, headquartered in San Francisco and Berlin, is the driving force behind the ambitious Worldcoin project. Having amassed 2 million users during its beta phase, Worldcoin has now launched on a grand scale, expanding its ‘orbing’ operations to 35 cities across 20 countries. To entice early adopters, certain countries will receive Worldcoin’s native cryptocurrency token, WLD.
One of the significant aspects of World IDs is their association with cryptocurrency blockchains, ensuring data privacy and decentralization. According to co-founder Alex Blania, this feature makes World IDs invaluable in an era dominated by generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, as they effectively distinguish real users from AI impostors online.
The implications of Worldcoin extend beyond identity verification and cryptocurrency adoption. Sam Altman believes that AI advancements will profoundly impact the global economy. With AI predicted to undertake more human tasks, Altman envisions Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a potential solution to tackle income inequality. World IDs can play a pivotal role in the implementation of UBI by mitigating fraudulent claims and ensuring that benefits reach genuine recipients.
Though Altman admits that a world with UBI is distant, Worldcoin lays the groundwork for future experimentation and transformation. By embracing this revolutionary cryptocurrency and its novel approach to digital identity, society takes a step closer to harnessing the true potential of AI for the greater good.