In an era of rapid artificial intelligence advancement, distinguishing between humans and bots has become increasingly challenging. Enter Worldcoin, a startup co-founded by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, which aims to create a global directory of human identities using iris scanning technology. The company’s ambitious goal is to provide a secure, encrypted network for identity verification that could potentially serve as a foundation for universal basic income distribution in the future.
At the core of Worldcoin’s technology is a baseball-sized orb that scans users’ irises to generate a unique digital code. This code can then be used to log into various platforms, with companies like Reddit, Discord, and Okta already integrating the system. The technology has gained significant traction, boasting over six million users worldwide.
Damien Kieran, chief privacy officer at Tools for Humanity, the company developing Worldcoin’s technology, explains that irises are an ideal biometric identifier due to their stability over time and resistance to spoofing attempts. The process involves capturing images of a user’s face and eyes, which are then analyzed to create an iris code – a binary representation of the eye’s surface.
To ensure privacy and security, the iris code undergoes cryptographic processing, splitting it into multiple separate codes that bear no resemblance to the original. These fragmented codes are stored across different data stores owned by legally distinct entities, with plans to further distribute the data across numerous databases in the future.
Users retain control of their data, with encrypted copies of their photos, iris code, and a secure private key stored on their personal devices. This private key serves as the user’s unique identifier for interacting with various systems and services.
Worldcoin recently introduced “Face Auth” technology, a face comparison feature similar to Apple’s Face ID but compatible with various mobile platforms. This addition aims to enhance security by ensuring that only the verified World ID owner can use it.
The potential applications of Worldcoin’s technology extend beyond simple login verification. Kieran envisions it as a standard protocol for digital transactions, similar to how tech companies agree on universal standards like USB-C chargers. He emphasizes that privacy is at the forefront of Worldcoin’s mission, particularly in an age where AI presents both opportunities and challenges.
While universal basic income distribution remains a long-term possibility for Worldcoin, the immediate focus is on building the largest trusted network for online digital transactions. The specifics of how this might translate into a UBI system are still evolving as the company learns more about the potential applications of its technology.
Despite its promising outlook, Worldcoin has faced scrutiny from authorities in countries such as Germany, France, and Kenya, who have expressed concerns about data usage and privacy. The company maintains that its cryptographic processes and distributed data storage methods ensure user privacy and data security.
As AI continues to reshape the digital landscape, Worldcoin’s approach to identity verification and privacy protection could set new standards for security and transparency in online interactions. By giving users full control over their data and leveraging cutting-edge cryptographic technology, the company aims to address the growing need for reliable human identification in an increasingly AI-driven world.