The World Project, an initiative created by OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, was officially opened in the United States on May 1, 2025. The now-controversial project aims to change the way people verify their digital identity, using eye-scanning Orbs. This project, collaboratively developed by Tools for Humanity, aims to create a global, safe, and decentralized identity ecosystem.
The World Project aims to protect humanity from AI bots in a rapidly digitized global landscape. The Orb technology scans irises, producing an encrypted IrisCode. These IrisCodes are subsequently stored on a blockchain to secure and protect privacy.
The initial rollout includes the deployment of 7,500 Orbs across six major U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco. Participants in the World Project earn 14 WLD cryptocurrency tokens for their participation. These dynamic tokens can be used for richer online marketplaces, DeFi apps that are more robust and liquid, as well as digital identity fortification.
"Decentralised identity" - World Project description
Based on the order and other public plans, we estimate the company will serve approximately 8 million people by the end of 2025. Their plans are to expand that reach by 4 times its global hardware footprint. To support this expansion, the U.S. launch of the World Project includes partnerships to integrate World ID into various applications.
"Privacy-first design" - World Project description
The World Project has also gained high-profile partnerships. These partnerships are aimed at integrating World ID into mainstream applications, enhancing the utility and adoption of the new identity system.
"OpenAI's Sam Altman launched the World Project in the US on May 1, 2025, aiming to revolutionize digital identity verification using eye-scanning Orbs." - Sam Altman’s World Project turns Black Mirror tech into reality in six US cities
