World, a company co-founded by Sam Altman (co-founder of OpenAI) and CEO Alex Blania, is a biometric ID verification project. It has released a new version of its app with several features, including encrypted chat integration and the ability to send and request cryptocurrency.
World was created by Tools for Humanity in 2019 and launched its first app in 2023. The company aims to create digital proof-of-humanity tools to help separate real human identities from bots.
A gathering was held at World’s headquarters in San Francisco, where the founders briefly introduced the new version and its features. The model used in World is based on Web3 principles. Sam Altman mentioned that “it is difficult to identify unique people and do this job in a privacy-preserving way.”
World Chat: The New Messaging System
World Chat, the app’s new messenger, uses end-to-end encryption to keep conversations safe. It also introduces color-coded speech bubbles that show whether the person a user is talking to is verified through the World system or not.
Expanded Digital Payment System
One of the biggest new features is the expanded digital payment system, which allows users to send and receive cryptocurrency.
The app uses virtual bank accounts, enabling users to:
- Receive paychecks directly into the World app
- Make deposits from their bank accounts
- Convert funds into crypto
Users do not need to be World-verified to use these financial features.
World’s Chief Product Officer, Tiago Sada, stated that it took extensive work to make the chat experience similar to WhatsApp and Telegram, while offering encryption and security comparable to Signal.
Unique Biometric Authentication
World deploys a unique authentication process where users can have their eyes scanned at one of the company’s offices. A large verification device converts a person’s iris into a unique code, which can then be used across the World ecosystem of devices and services available through the app.
The addition of these features shows growing public interest and the company’s intention to increase adoption. Altman said he hopes the project can scan a billion eyes, but Tools for Humanity has so far scanned less than 20 million people.
Orb Minis and Future Plans
In April, Tools for Humanity announced Orb Minis, handheld phone-like devices that allow users to scan their eyes from home.
The company also aims to transform Orb Mini devices into mobile point-of-sale devices or sell its ID-sensor technology to device manufacturers so more people can participate and use World’s ecosystem.