AI entrepreneur Sam Altman has launched a cryptocurrency project called Worldcoin, which has been described as “dystopian.” The project gives people digital coins in exchange for a scan of their eyeballs. During the full launch, people queued up at scanning sites around the world to participate.
The purpose of Worldcoin is to help confirm if someone is a human or a robot. Altman, the CEO of Open AI, hopes that the initiative will distinguish humans from AI online while protecting privacy. The project also claims to pave the way for an “AI-funded” universal basic income, although the specifics are unclear.
Since testing began two years ago, Worldcoin has added over two million people to its crypto database in 33 different countries, with most sign-ups from Europe, India, and southern Africa. However, US citizens cannot participate due to regulatory concerns.
During the scanning process, individuals have their face and iris scanned, receiving 25 free Worldcoin tokens worth roughly $2 each upon completion. Critics have raised concerns about privacy and the tactics used by orb operators, particularly in poorer nations.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin expressed excitement about the project but also warned about potential pitfalls. Twitter founder Jack Dorsey offered apparent criticism, calling the project’s mission “cute” but issuing a dystopian warning.
Despite the controversy, Altman remains optimistic, acknowledging the ambitious nature of the project and stating that trying new things leads to progress.
