In the heart of Nuremberg, Germany, a high-tech orb designed to scan people’s irises is part of an ambitious project called Worldcoin, which aims to create a global identity system to differentiate humans from AI. Backed by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, this futuristic venture has drawn both excitement and criticism, with over 6 million people already signed up despite privacy concerns. Worldcoin’s founders envision it as a way to address the challenges posed by advancing AI, but the project’s sci-fi feel and potential risks have left many wondering if it’s a breakthrough or a dystopian nightmare.
In Nuremberg, a city known for its historic charm—think castles, cathedrals, and bratwurst—something unusual was happening. Amidst the ice cream shops and tourist attractions, a futuristic event was taking place that only the keen-eyed noticed.
At a store called Josephs, which focuses on future technology, a shiny, metallic orb the size of a cantaloupe sat prominently on display. This strange orb, mounted on a black pole and a wooden base, was turning heads. But what was it? Nearby sat Alex Blania, the co-creator of this mysterious device, ready to explain to a room full of computer science and engineering students.
Blania, a local from Germany, was being celebrated for his work on a high-tech project called Worldcoin. As the CEO of Tools for Humanity Corp., he helped create this orb, which plays a key role in verifying human identities and dealing with cryptocurrency. This project, with strong support from big names in Silicon Valley like OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, aims to create a global identity system for humans, reports Bloomberg.
Why is this necessary? The fear is that artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing so quickly that we might soon struggle to distinguish between real people and AI-generated fakes. The Orb offers a solution by scanning people’s irises to create a unique World ID, proving they are human. This ID could then be used online to ensure you’re interacting with a real person, not a robot.
But Worldcoin’s ambitions don’t stop there. Once you have a World ID, you can also receive Worldcoin cryptocurrency. The idea is to create a financial network that could help distribute resources and income in a world increasingly affected by AI. For example, if AI takes over many jobs, Worldcoin could provide a financial safety net for those impacted.
Despite these big ideas, the project has faced criticism. Some see it as a dystopian nightmare, raising concerns about privacy and data security. Several countries have even paused the Orb’s operations, worried that people might not fully understand what they’re signing up for.
Blania admits the project had a rocky start but has worked hard to address concerns. The company has improved the Orb’s security and data handling and has managed to convince some countries to lift their bans. While Blania acknowledges that the project has only a small chance of succeeding, he believes it’s worth trying, given the potential impact.
Blania’s journey to this point is a story in itself. He grew up in a small German town and had a natural talent for engineering and computer programming. After studying physics and AI, he became fascinated by Silicon Valley and its culture of innovation. Eventually, he was contacted by Max Novendstern, a Harvard graduate who, along with Altman, was exploring a cryptocurrency project. Despite knowing little about crypto at the time, Blania was intrigued by their vision and eventually dropped out of school to join the venture.
The Worldcoin project, initially planned to take place in San Francisco, was disrupted by the global pandemic, leading Blania to return to Germany. There, he assembled a team to work on the first Orb, a task that proved to be technically challenging. They needed to create a biometric system that could quickly and accurately verify a person’s identity based on their iris, a complex task requiring cutting-edge technology.
The team eventually developed a sleek, spherical Orb capable of performing these tasks. The Orb uses advanced optics and AI to capture detailed images of a person’s iris, ensuring that only real humans are verified. Each Orb costs about $1,500 to make, and thousands are now being produced in Germany.
Despite the Orb’s technical sophistication, the Worldcoin project has been met with skepticism. Privacy advocates worry about the implications of collecting biometric data, especially from vulnerable populations. As a result, Worldcoin sign-ups have been paused in many countries, and the project remains controversial.
Yet, in places like Mexico City and Singapore, people are still lining up to get their irises scanned and receive their Worldcoin. For some, it’s a chance to earn some cryptocurrency quickly; for others, it’s about participating in a vision of the future where technology helps address the challenges posed by AI.
Blania, who is committed to the project’s success, insists that the Orb does not store personal data. The iris scans are instantly deleted, with only an encrypted code sent to verify the person’s identity. While the project faces significant challenges, Blania remains optimistic, believing that Worldcoin could play a crucial role in a future shaped by AI.
