Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency and identity verification project co-founded by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has recently rebranded itself as “World.” Alongside this name change, the company has introduced an updated version of its Orb device, a technology that scans people’s eyeballs. The purpose of the Orb is to address a problem that has not yet fully emerged: verifying that a person is human “in the age of AI.”
By registering with the system, users receive a World ID, which allows them to prove their human identity online in a secure and anonymous way. In addition to this, registered users also gain access to a share of World’s cryptocurrency token, WLD.
The new version of the Orb comes with several improvements over its predecessor. It is now made with 30% fewer components, making it both easier and more affordable to produce. Interestingly, the updated Orb is equipped with Nvidia’s Jetson platform, which is typically used for robotics and artificial intelligence applications, although the exact reason for this inclusion remains unclear. During a recent event, Rich Heley, the chief device officer for Tools for Humanity, the foundation behind World, explained that the streamlined design is intended to support the project’s goal of making the Orb more accessible to people around the globe.
Heley emphasized the need for many more Orbs in order to achieve World’s mission of providing identity verification to all humans. He noted that for World to succeed on a global scale, the number of Orbs would need to increase significantly, potentially by a factor of 1,000. This expansion would not only require more devices, but also a greater geographic distribution. To that end, World plans to ramp up the production of Orbs and is even allowing individuals to purchase or rent their own eyeball-scanning devices. This would enable users to begin verifying the identities of people in their own communities.
In addition to expanding the availability of the Orb, World is launching a new service called “Orb on Demand.” Yes, you read that correctly—it will allow people to order an Orb, much like ordering a pizza for delivery. This service is part of World’s broader strategy to make the device more widely accessible and easier to obtain. The Orb is also being introduced in more countries, including Costa Rica, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and others.
Although World’s identity verification services are available in the United States, its cryptocurrency token, WLD, is not currently accessible in the U.S. market. This limitation was noted by The Verge‘s Alex Heath, who experienced the eyeball-scanning process firsthand during the summer, but was unable to access the token due to regulatory restrictions.
Despite privacy concerns surrounding the project, World has already verified nearly seven million “unique humans” around the globe. However, the project has not been without its share of controversies and regulatory challenges. Critics have raised concerns about the risks associated with building a global database of personal biometric information, which is privately operated.
Last year, the government of Kenya suspended World’s operations in the country while it conducted an investigation into the company’s data collection practices. The investigation has since been closed, allowing World to resume its activities there. Meanwhile, Hong Kong requested that World cease all operations within its borders, citing privacy concerns. Both Portugal and Spain have also taken action against the project, reflecting broader global apprehension about the potential risks associated with such large-scale biometric data collection.
World’s ambitious vision centers around the idea of creating a global human identity verification system, especially in an era where artificial intelligence is expected to play an increasingly significant role in our digital lives. The concept is to ensure that people can authenticate their human identity online, especially as AI tools grow more sophisticated and capable of mimicking human behavior.
While some people may see this as a solution for future challenges, others are concerned about the ethical implications of a private company managing such sensitive data on a global scale. These concerns stem from the fear that a centralized, biometric-based system could be prone to misuse or create new vulnerabilities for privacy breaches. Moreover, with governments already showing signs of resistance to the project, it’s clear that World will need to address these concerns if it hopes to achieve its goal of universal human identity verification.
Overall, World continues to push forward with its plans despite the regulatory hurdles and privacy concerns. Its rebranding, the launch of a more efficient Orb device, and expansion into new countries demonstrate the company’s commitment to making its vision a reality. Whether the public and regulators will embrace this vision remains to be seen, but the future of identity verification in the age of AI is clearly becoming a key issue as technology continues to evolve.