Worldcoin, the Sam Altman-co-founded project initially designed to verify personhood through iris-scanning technology, has rebranded itself as simply “World.” The startup behind this endeavor, Tools for Humanity, recently introduced the next generation of its iris-scanning devices, called “Orbs,” during a live event in San Francisco. The change in name reflects a broader ambition beyond its original cryptocurrency focus.
Alex Blania, CEO of Tools for Humanity, explained that the previous name no longer fits the project’s evolving goals. He hinted that the startup aims to expand its identity, moving away from its sole association with cryptocurrency. Although eye-scanning was initially viewed as a way to access Worldcoins, this approach was never implemented.
Sam Altman, who also leads OpenAI, remains closely involved with World, according to Blania. Despite Altman’s active role, Blania clarified that the missions of OpenAI and World are distinct. However, he didn’t completely dismiss the possibility of World’s cryptocurrency playing a role in future AI applications, such as integration into ChatGPT.
World’s mission is to address the challenge posed by advanced AI systems, which might eventually make it difficult to distinguish between humans and machines online. The solution lies in developing human verification services powered by blockchain technology, aiming to ensure AI benefits reach a broader audience through the redistribution of wealth generated by these technologies.
Despite its ambitions, World faces skepticism and regulatory scrutiny, particularly in regions like the EU and Kenya. Concerns over privacy, security, and the ethical implications of its iris-scanning technology have led to investigations, some of which remain unresolved.
During the event, World introduced Deep Face, a tool designed to combat deepfakes, and announced a beta version of its World ID credential, offering an alternative to traditional government-issued IDs. Tools for Humanity’s efforts to scale up include partnerships aimed at making their Orb technology more accessible, promising rapid global expansion.
