Worldcoin Rebrands as 'World,' Launches New Tech to Scale Human Verification
Worldcoin, the Sam Altman-backed project, has officially rebranded as "World", marking a shift in focus beyond cryptocurrency. The announcement was made during a live event in San Francisco, where Tools for Humanity, the company behind World, also introduced next-gen iris-scanning "Orbs" and new tools aimed at scaling human verification globally.
A New Chapter: From Cryptocurrency to Human Verification
Alex Blania, co-founder and CEO of Tools for Humanity, explained that the rebrand reflects the project's evolution from a "proof of personhood" initiative to a broader mission. Originally designed to verify humanity through eye-scanning technology, the project now aims to offer blockchain-based human verification services. This could potentially redistribute wealth generated by AI through the World cryptocurrency, although Blania emphasized that World and OpenAI are separate entities.
Future of AI and Human Verification
While Sam Altman remains closely involved, Blania stressed that World’s success isn’t tied to OpenAI’s progress. World is tackling a growing challenge in distinguishing humans from AI, a problem that’s gaining urgency as AI technology advances. Blockchain-based verification could become a key tool in ensuring trust online, especially as AI platforms like ChatGPT continue to evolve.
New Technology and Partnerships
At the event, Tools for Humanity unveiled the next-generation Orb, a faster and more efficient iris-scanning device, designed to significantly scale World’s user base, which currently stands at 7 million verified users. To facilitate broader adoption, the company announced a partnership with Latin American delivery giant Rappi, allowing users to schedule in-home verification appointments.
In addition, Tools for Humanity introduced "Deep Face," a tool designed to combat deepfakes and online impersonation. This technology could be integrated into video communication platforms like FaceTime and Zoom to enhance digital security.
World ID: A New Online Credential
Another major announcement was the beta launch of World ID, a privacy-preserving online credential aimed at providing an alternative to traditional government-issued IDs. While it won’t replace official identification, World ID aims to offer secure identity verification online without compromising personal privacy.
Regulatory Challenges and Public Scrutiny
Despite World’s ambitious plans, the project faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny. Governments in regions like Kenya and the European Union have raised concerns over privacy and data security risks. While Kenya recently resumed World’s operations after a temporary halt, investigations within the EU remain unresolved.
The event also highlighted challenges in gaining public trust. Attendees were required to present government-issued IDs for verification, raising concerns about privacy in a project led by Sam Altman, whose work at OpenAI remains controversial.
A Bold Roadmap for the Future
Blania outlined a four-step roadmap for the project’s future, with two phases already completed: developing the Orb and building a decentralized network. The next challenge? Scaling up to verify millions more individuals worldwide. With new tools, faster technology, and partnerships in place, World is positioning itself to redefine digital identity and human verification.
