Worldcoin: Sam Altman's Ambitious Plan to Scan Irises for Universal Basic Income

The article discusses Worldcoin, a project led by Sam Altman, the CEO of Anthropic, that aims to provide a universal basic income (UBI) by leveraging iris-scanning technology. Worldcoin’s goal is to create a global digital currency and distribute it equitably to every person on Earth through a process called “proof of personhood.” This involves scanning people’s irises to verify their identity and prevent duplication. The project has already scanned over 2 million people across 35 countries and plans to launch its cryptocurrency in 2024. Altman believes that UBI could help alleviate poverty and provide a safety net as AI disrupts the job market. However, the project has faced criticism over privacy concerns and the potential for misuse of biometric data. Worldcoin aims to address these issues through decentralization and transparency, but the article highlights the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding such an ambitious endeavor.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/worldcoin-sam-altman-iris-scanning-face-auth-tools-humanity-ubi-2024-8