Sam Altman-backed company claims orb can distinguish humans from bots

In recent months, Tools for Humanity, a company co-founded by Sam Altman, has introduced the Orb, a device designed to tackle the pressing challenge of differentiating real humans from artificial bots. The initiative highlights significant concerns over the proliferation of fake accounts on various digital platforms, which poses risks in diverse fields, from finance to social media. The Orb operates by photographing users' faces and analyzing specific facial features and reactions to light in order to confirm their 'humanness.' Once verified, users receive a unique identifier known as a WorldID, which serves as a digital passport for accessing different online services. As part of a broader strategy, this identification technology aims to replace traditional security methods that are often susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors. Users of the Orb can expect this digital verification method to enhance their safety in engaging with online transactions. The WorldID would potentially streamline identity confirmation processes for banks and other services, making user engagement more secure and less reliant on easily hackable security questions. Currently, the Orb functions in limited applications, such as allowing users access to 'human-only' discussions on platforms like Reddit and Shopify. Future plans include facilitating home delivery of the devices to users, with initial rollout expected in Latin America. In tandem with this, the introduction of Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency tied to the Orb, offers users a form of tokenized value exchange within the network. The project, however, does not come without skepticism regarding data privacy and potential for centralized power in the hands of its creators, including Altman. The company has emphasized its commitment to user privacy by asserting that biometric data is not stored after verification; instead, it is sent directly to the user's device and subsequently deleted from the Orb. Despite its ambitious goals, the Orb's effectiveness and safety are under scrutiny, and Tools for Humanity has opted for open-sourcing much of the technology underlying the Orb to provide transparency and allow external audits to verify its claims.