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Crypto project started by OpenAI boss in Germany
The Worldcoin crypto project, co-founded by OpenAI boss Sam Altman, is starting up in Germany. photo
© Stephen Brashear/AP/dpa
Sam Altman made a name for himself as head of the ChatGPT provider OpenAI. At the same time, the star of the AI scene is also working on a system of proof of personality with which he wants to conquer the crypto world.
The crypto project Worldcoin, co-founded by OpenAI boss Sam Altman, launched its global identification system WorldID in Germany on Thursday. People can have their eyeballs scanned in order to be able to prove beyond a doubt that they are people – and not software robots – in times of artificial intelligence on the Internet. Worldcoin said that you can use the WorldID in everyday life for many things that you sign online. You can use it to log in to online services in the same way you do it today with the Google login.
In the coming weeks and months, Worldcoin will set up the “Orb” iris scanner developed in Erlangen at many locations – for example at universities or in front of supermarkets. Anyone who allows themselves to be scanned there receives a certain amount in the specially created cryptocurrency Worldcoin as an incentive. However, privacy advocates regularly warn consumers not to have their biometric data, such as fingerprints or iris scans, recorded and deposited with non-governmental institutions. In addition, the crypto market has come under significant pressure since the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX in November. Worldcoin assures that the technology is used within the framework of German and European data protection laws.
To the investors of the project of Altman reportedly owns venture capitalist Khosla Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto venture division (a16z). According to a report by the “Financial Times”, the round of financing raised 100 million dollars (92 million euros).