March 10, 2025 – In the era of artificial intelligence, a new startup, World Network, founded by Sam Altman, the co-founder of OpenAI, is seeking to answer a pressing question: How do we prove human identity in a world filled with AI agents? Their innovative platform, named “World,” is a super-app ecosystem that integrates functions like payments, chat, and micro-loans, all verified through a unique biometric identification method – iris scanning.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Altman’s new venture, seen as a challenge to Elon Musk, has already scanned the irises of 11 million people, establishing a significant user base. The process involves users gazing into a basketball-sized “orb” that scans their irises to confirm their humanity.
However, regulatory hurdles have halted the app’s operations in the United States, raising concerns about privacy and data security. Despite these challenges, World Network continues to evolve its offerings.
The company has introduced features like “World Chat,” which aims to distinguish between real users and bots, enhancing the overall user experience. This messaging function allows users to seamlessly communicate and make payments, knowing when they are chatting with a verified human through the use of World ID. Verified World ID holders’ chats are marked with blue chat bubbles and a distinct World ID gem in the top right corner, while unverified accounts have gray chat bubbles without the gem.
The concept of iris scanning, though futuristic, has sparked debate about privacy and the extent of monitoring in digital interactions. The founder team, including CEO Alex Blania and co-founder Sam Altman, envisions a future where, as AI agents become increasingly prevalent and human-like, continuous iris verification will be necessary to prove individual authenticity, preventing AI from masquerading as humans in platforms like payment systems and social networks.
