In a move that feels straight out of a sci-fi thriller, Sam Altman, the visionary behind OpenAI, has officially launched his ambitious World project in the United States.
The initiative, previously known as Worldcoin, aims to revolutionize digital identity by using iris-scanning technology to create a secure, password-free system for verifying human identity. With a sleek device called the Orb, World is offering users a digital World ID and 14 WLD cryptocurrency tokens as an incentive for scanning their irises.
The project’s U.S. debut, announced on May 1, 2025, marks a significant step toward its goal of building a global framework for distinguishing humans from AI bots in an increasingly digital world.
A Glimpse into the Future of Identity
The World project, developed by Tools for Humanity (co-founded by Altman and CEO Alex Blania), uses the Orb—a futuristic, silver sphere equipped with advanced iris-scanning cameras—to capture a user’s unique iris pattern. This biometric data is transformed into an encrypted “IrisCode,” which is stored on a blockchain and linked to a World ID.
Unlike traditional login systems reliant on usernames and passwords, World ID aims to provide a seamless, secure way to prove one’s humanity online.
The company emphasizes that the Orb does not store actual images of users’ eyes, addressing privacy concerns by generating a decentralized, encrypted code instead.
World claims to have already scanned the irises of 12 million people across more than 100 countries, a testament to its global reach and rapid adoption.
The U.S. launch, starting in six innovation hubs — Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco—introduces 7,500 Orbs to American cities, with plans to quadruple its global hardware footprint by the end of 2025.
High-Profile Partnerships with Visa and Tinder
The U.S. rollout comes with major partnerships that signal World’s intent to integrate its technology into everyday life. Visa has teamed up with World to launch the “World Card” later this year, a crypto-linked debit card that allows users to spend WLD tokens anywhere Visa is accepted.
This move bridges the gap between cryptocurrency and traditional finance, making World’s digital currency more practical for real-world transactions.
In a surprising collaboration, Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, Hinge, and other dating platforms, is piloting World ID for identity and age verification on Tinder in Japan.
The partnership aims to combat romance scams and catfishing by ensuring users are verified humans, not bots or fraudulent accounts.
World’s technology could potentially expand to other Match Group platforms, offering a new layer of trust in online dating.
A Black Mirror Episode Come to Life?
While the project’s promise of secure, bot-resistant digital identity is compelling, its dystopian undertones have not gone unnoticed. The idea of scanning one’s eyes for cryptocurrency evokes comparisons to Black Mirror, with some calling it “creepy” or a step toward surveillance capitalism.
Critics have raised concerns about privacy, biometric data security, and the ethics of incentivizing iris scans with crypto rewards. Reports of coercion by Orb operators and a black market for iris data in some regions have further fueled skepticism.
Altman himself has acknowledged the “ick factor” of eye-scanning technology but insists that earning public trust is critical.
He frames World as a necessary response to the rise of AI-driven content and deepfakes, which blur the line between human and machine online. “We wanted a way to make sure that humans stayed special and central,” Altman said at the San Francisco launch event, dubbed “At Last.”
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The Road Ahead: Innovation or Cautionary Tale?
World’s U.S. launch is just the beginning. The project is also introducing a smaller “Orb Mini,” a portable device resembling a smartphone, which could enable peer-to-peer verification and even serve as a point-of-sale terminal in the future.
Partnerships with companies like Razer for gaming and Stripe for payments hint at broader applications, from bot-free online tournaments to secure e-commerce.
However, the project’s success hinges on transparency, regulatory compliance, and public acceptance. While 12 million users worldwide have embraced World ID, concerns about data privacy and the potential for misuse loom large. As one X post quipped, “This new episode of Black Mirror looks awesome.”
Whether World becomes a cornerstone of digital trust or a cautionary tale remains to be seen, but its bold vision is undeniably pushing the boundaries of identity in the AI age.
