Launch of Identity Verification Project 'World'
Utilizing the Orb-Shaped Iris Recognition Device 'Orb'
Preventing Crimes Such as Identity Theft and Fraud
Tools for Humanity (TFH), a startup co-founded by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI who developed the generative AI service ChatGPT, is drawing attention as it expands into the UK.
According to CNBC and other outlets on June 8 (local time), TFH plans to launch its identity verification project "World" in London, UK, on June 12, using its orb-shaped iris recognition device called "Orb."
This system scans a user's iris to verify that they are a real human, and based on this, issues a digital identification called "World ID." With World ID, users can log in to applications such as Minecraft, Reddit, and Discord, and those who agree to have their irises scanned receive the cryptocurrency "Worldcoin," issued by TFH.
Adrian Ludwig, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at TFH, stated, "With the advancement of AI technology, the risk of fraud in various services such as finance and online gaming is increasing, leading to a significant rise in demand from businesses and governments." He added, "Now, this idea?an identity verification system using iris recognition?is no longer just a theory but has become a reality that actually impacts daily life." He also said, "Our goal is to increase the number of verifiable users by more than tenfold within the next few months."
The company announced that it will first install Orb devices in London shopping malls and busy districts, and plans to expand to other UK cities such as Manchester in the coming months. In particular, with identity theft using generative AI, fake news, and deepfakes (false photos and videos created with AI technology) emerging as serious social issues, the company believes iris recognition can serve as a countermeasure. They also explained that it has high potential to be used to prevent fraud in financial institutions and dating apps.
Meanwhile, World ID issuance has already begun in six cities in the United States, including Austin and San Francisco. According to the company, about 13 million people have verified their identities using Orb in countries including Korea, Mexico, Germany, Japan, Portugal, and Thailand.
However, due to concerns over personal data collection, TFH is facing investigations in several countries such as Germany and Argentina, and its service has been banned in places like Spain and Hong Kong. The company maintains that it does not store personal or biometric data and that authentication information is kept only on the World ID holder's mobile device, but concerns over data leaks persist.
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