Tell me about the new crypto system that is created and governed by AI that Orb is building.

Answered at Nov 15, 2024

Overview of the New Crypto System by Orb

The new crypto system, developed by Tools for Humanity under the project now known as "World," is a unique blend of cryptocurrency and human identity verification. This system is spearheaded by Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI, and aims to address the challenges posed by AI in distinguishing human interactions online.

Key Features of the System

  • Iris-Scanning Orb: The core of the system is the Orb, a device that scans users' irises to verify their humanity. This verification process is crucial in an era where AI can mimic human behavior online (The Verge).

  • World ID: Once verified, users receive a World ID. This ID allows them to prove their humanness securely and anonymously across various online platforms (The Verge).

  • WLD Cryptocurrency: Users also receive a share of the WLD cryptocurrency token, which is part of the system's incentive structure (Fortune).

Development and Expansion

  • Simplified Orb Design: The new Orb is designed with 30% fewer parts, making it easier and cheaper to produce. This change aims to increase the availability of Orbs worldwide (The Verge).

  • Mass Production Goals: The project plans to scale up production significantly, aiming to deploy thousands of Orbs globally. This expansion is crucial for achieving the goal of verifying billions of people (Forbes).

  • Partnerships and Accessibility: Tools for Humanity has partnered with Rappi, a leading delivery service in Latin America, to facilitate home verification appointments. This partnership is part of the strategy to make the verification process more accessible (TechCrunch).

Criticisms and Challenges

  • Privacy Concerns: Critics, like Elizabeth Renieris from Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in A.I., argue that the project may be creating a problem to sell a solution, drawing parallels to pharmaceutical practices (Fortune).

  • Decentralization and Open Source: While the project aspires to be decentralized, it has not fully open-sourced its protocol. This raises questions about transparency and control (Fortune).

Future Prospects

  • Global User Base: Sam Altman aims to sign up 2 billion users, a goal that underscores the project's ambitious scale. However, the need for in-person verification could slow down this process (Forbes).

  • AI and Human Interaction: The project positions itself as essential infrastructure in a future where AI's role in society is ever-growing. It aims to ensure that human interactions remain distinct and verifiable (TechCrunch).

In summary, the World project represents a bold attempt to merge cryptocurrency with human identity verification, addressing the challenges posed by AI. While it faces criticism and logistical hurdles, its potential impact on digital identity and online interactions is significant.