Sam Altman Unveils ‘World’

A Bold Step Towards Human Identity Verification in the Age of AI

OpenAI CEO introduces revolutionary startup “World” with eye-scanning Orbs, crypto wallets, and a global push for digital identity authentication.

In a groundbreaking move that could reshape how digital identity is verified, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has launched a new startup named World, aimed at distinguishing humans from bots in an increasingly AI-dominated landscape. The initiative, now rolling out across the United States, will include physical retail stores in major cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Nashville.

At the heart of the project is a biometric device known as the Orb. Users can visit these stores to have their irises scanned, generating a World ID—a unique proof-of-personhood stored on the blockchain. This digital identity will serve as the key to access the World app, which combines a crypto wallet, social network, and messaging functionality.

Incentivizing participation, users who verify themselves through an Orb will receive Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency native to the platform that can be saved, spent, or transferred among verified users.

“In the age of AI, World is a network of real humans built on an anonymous proof of humanity and a globally inclusive financial system,” the company states on its official website. “Unlike traditional platforms, your data is owned and controlled by you.”

Co-founder Alex Blania shared on X (formerly Twitter) that over 7,500 Orbs are set to be deployed across the U.S. within the next year, aiming to make identity verification a process that takes just minutes. He also revealed that the World app has already attracted 26 million users, with over 12 million people verified through Orb scans globally.

You can verify at an Orb in SF, LA, Atlanta, Austin, Miami, and Nashville, with many more cities coming soon.

We will deploy over 7500 Orbs across the US in the next 12 months, with the final goal of making it easy for every American to verify within a couple minutes. pic.twitter.com/wK4RGXFBy3

— Alex Blania (@alexblania) May 3, 2025

Sam Altman Unveils ‘World’

Initially announced two years ago, Worldcoin has sparked both enthusiasm and controversy. While it has seen early adoption in countries like India, Kenya, and Indonesia, it has also faced regulatory challenges, leading to bans in regions like Brazil and Hong Kong over data privacy concerns.

Despite the scrutiny, the World project underscores Altman’s vision for a secure, inclusive, and decentralized digital future, where identity verification becomes seamless and universally accessible.

As the boundaries between AI and humanity blur, World positions itself at the forefront of ethical identity infrastructure—an ambitious attempt to preserve authenticity in a synthetic age.