ChatGPT-Creator OpenAI Launches Worldcoin Crypto Project, To Feature Iris-Verified 'World ID'

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his views on how Worldcoin could contribute to reshaping the economy in the era of generative AI.

To acquire a World ID, individuals undergo an in-person iris scan using the 'orb'. ( Image Source :OpenAI )

Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency project, made its debut on Monday, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as its founder. The central feature of the project is the World ID, an exclusive account accessible only to 'real' human beings. To acquire a World ID, individuals undergo an in-person iris scan using the 'orb,' a silver ball about the size of a bowling ball developed by Worldcoin. Once the orb confirms the authenticity of a person's identity, a unique World ID is generated. OpenAI tasted great popularity across the globe ever since the launch of its viral generative-AI chatbot, ChatGPT.

The brains behind Worldcoin hail from Tools for Humanity, a company with offices in San Francisco and Berlin. Having already amassed 2 million users during its beta phase, Worldcoin is now expanding its "orbing" operations to 35 cities across 20 countries. In certain regions, new users will be rewarded with Worldcoin's cryptocurrency token, WLD, as an incentive to sign up.

The cryptocurrency element of World IDs is critical as blockchain technology safeguards the privacy of World IDs, making it immune to control or shut down by any single entity, according to co-founder Alex Blania in an interview with Reuters.

One of the project's significant purposes for World IDs is to address the challenges posed by generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT, which can produce remarkably human-like language. World IDs could help differentiate between genuine human users and AI bots in the online realm.

The world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, has announced plans to list Worldcoin, with trading set to potentially commence on Monday at 0900 GMT.

Sam Altman expressed his views on how Worldcoin could contribute to reshaping the economy in the era of generative AI. With AI taking over various human tasks, Altman sees the potential for universal basic income (UBI) to combat income inequality. By having World IDs exclusive to real individuals, it could assist in reducing fraud in the distribution of UBI benefits.

Regarding UBI, Altman acknowledged that its realisation might be far in the future and admitted uncertainty about the entity responsible for its implementation. Nevertheless, Worldcoin is laying the groundwork for such possibilities, aiming to facilitate experimentation and shape the path toward making UBI a reality.

Altman emphasised the need to explore new possibilities and discover the best way forward, stating, "We think that we need to start experimenting with things so we can figure out what to do."

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