Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has officially launched its core offering, the “World ID.” This unique “digital passport” aims to verify individuals as real humans, distinguishing them from AI bots online.
The project’s parent company, Tools for Humanity, based in San Francisco and Berlin, has already seen 2 million users during its beta phase. With the official launch, Worldcoin is expanding “orbing” operations to 35 cities in 20 countries. New users from select countries will receive Worldcoin’s cryptocurrency token, WLD.
Iris Scans for Human Verification
World ID’s main verification method involves an in-person iris scan using Worldcoin’s innovative device known as the “orb.” This bowling ball-sized orb scans an individual’s iris, confirming their identity as a real human, and subsequently generates a unique World ID. The project envisions blockchains to securely store these World IDs, preserving privacy while remaining immune to control or shutdown by any single entity.
Worldcoin’s Soaring Cryptocurrency Token
With the official launch of Worldcoin, its cryptocurrency token, WLD, has gained significant traction. Early trading on Monday saw WLD’s price soar to a peak of $5.29 on Binance, the world’s largest exchange. Starting from $0.15, the token reached $2.49 with a trading volume of $25.1 million.
Addressing Generative AI and Income Inequality
Alex Blania, co-founder of Worldcoin, highlights the importance of World IDs in the age of generative AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, which produce remarkably human-like language. By differentiating real people from AI bots, World IDs aim to enhance online interactions and reduce fraud.
Sam Altman also envisions Worldcoin as a potential tool to address economic changes brought about by generative AI. He believes that as AI takes over more human tasks, universal basic income (UBI) could be essential to combat income inequality.
World IDs, reserved only for real people, could help implement UBI effectively, preventing fraud and ensuring support reaches those in need. Although Altman acknowledges that achieving a world with UBI is a distant goal, he sees Worldcoin as the foundation to pave the way for this possibility.
A Vision for the Future
Worldcoin’s World ID presents a compelling vision for the future, harnessing blockchain technology for human verification and promoting a world that accommodates the potential of generative AI.
As the project expands its “orbing” operations globally, the World ID could become a fundamental component of online interactions, distinguishing real humans from AI bots and potentially shaping economic policies to address income inequality in the years to come.
