Worldcoin Enhances Verification System and Expands Global Partnerships

Worldcoin is updating its verification technology and planning to release new Orb models in various colors to increase global availability. This is part of Worldcoin's strategy to enhance its role in the AI and financial sectors. According to Bloomberg, Worldcoin, co-founded by Sam Altman, is negotiating with OpenAI and other industry leaders, though specific names outside OpenAI remain undisclosed.

Tools for Humanity, which manages Worldcoin, is extending its collaborations beyond the AI industry, seeking to broaden its technological and financial partnerships. Alex Blania, CEO of Worldcoin, discussed these strategic partnerships in a Bloomberg interview, highlighting their potential to expand Worldcoin's operational scope. In Aune 2023, Worldcoin formed a significant partnership with Okta.

This collaboration integrated Worldcoin authentication into Okta’s platform, allowing developers to offer it as a login option and positioning it as a competitor to established tech giants like Apple and Google. The Orb, a biometric imaging device, is at the heart of Worldcoin’s system and the backbone of its identity verification system. It differentiates real humans from AI and robots.

With the rise of advanced AI and chatbots like ChatGPT, the need for accurate human identification is more critical than ever. Blanca revealed that the current Orb model was initially a prototype and never meant for broad release. To foster greater transparency, Worldcoin has made some parts of its verification software open-source.

The company is moving away from the term “universal basic income,” previously championed by Altman, adopting “distribution of scarce resources” instead. This new terminology aims to reflect better the distribution's scope, including essential resources like computing power for AI.

Worldcoin, launched in 2019, initially aimed to facilitate specific market payments but faced criticism for its labor practices in countries like Indonesia and Kenya. The redefined focus from "universal basic income" to "distribution of scarce resources" seeks to detach from politically sensitive connotations and emphasize a broader resource distribution strategy.