Sam Altman Launches Eye-Scanning Identity System in the UK

Sam Altman Launches Eye-Scanning Identity System in the UK

World, a groundbreaking biometric identity verification project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is making its debut in the United Kingdom this week.

The system, powered by a spherical device called Orb, will first become available in London on Thursday, with further rollouts planned for major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Belfast, and Glasgow in the near future.

Sam Altman Launches Eye-Scanning Identity System in the UK

The primary objective of the project is to authenticate individuals’ identities using advanced iris-scanning technology.

This innovation aims to address growing concerns about fraud facilitated by artificial intelligence tools, including deepfake technology. By scanning both the face and the iris of the eye, the Orb generates a unique cryptographic code that confirms the user is a real person rather than an AI-driven entity.

After completing the verification process, users are rewarded with a portion of World’s cryptocurrency, WLD, and gain access to an anonymous digital identifier known as World ID.
This ID allows users to securely log into various online platforms, including Minecraft, Reddit, and Discord, without compromising their privacy.

From Concept to Reality

Adrian Ludwig, Chief Architect at Tools for Humanity—the company behind World—spoke to CNBC during a phone interview, highlighting the significant demand for such a system. Both corporations and governments are increasingly concerned about the rise of AI-driven fraud across industries, from banking to online gaming.

“This idea is no longer theoretical. It’s something that impacts people every day,” Ludwig stated, adding that World is transitioning “from a scientific project to a real-world network.”

In recent months, the company has opened six flagship retail locations in the United States, including in Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, Miami, and San Francisco. Ludwig noted that the company plans to scale its user base significantly over the next few months, aiming to verify millions more individuals globally.
Since its initial launch in 2021 under the name Worldcoin, the project has faced concerns regarding user privacy.
However, the startup claims to address these issues by encrypting all collected biometric data and ensuring it is deleted after the verification process. Additionally, the system operates on a decentralized network of user smartphones rather than relying on cloud-based infrastructure, enhancing security and privacy.

A Scalable Solution for Digital Identity
Ludwig emphasized that World is designed to be highly scalable. All computations and data storage occur locally on users’ devices, while third-party providers are responsible only for verifying the uniqueness of each individual. This approach minimizes reliance on centralized systems and reduces the risk of large-scale data breaches.

As AI continues to evolve, traditional authentication methods like facial recognition and CAPTCHA are becoming easier to bypass. According to Ludwig, World addresses the urgent need for a transition from physical to digital identity systems.
Governments worldwide are exploring digital ID frameworks to replace physical identification cards, but many existing solutions have faced criticism for security flaws and social inequality concerns.
The company has engaged in extensive discussions with regulatory bodies, including the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office, to ensure compliance with data protection standards.
“We’ve had many questions about how we can guarantee this works, protect privacy, and mitigate risks,” Ludwig explained. “But we’ve been able to answer all of them.”

With 13 million verified users already on board, World is poised to expand its reach significantly in the coming months.
As the system rolls out across the UK and beyond, it promises to reshape how individuals interact with digital platforms while addressing critical challenges posed by AI and cybercrime.
FX24

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