Sam Altman-backed startup makes optical scanner to detect humans from AI
Have you ever wanted a mobile device designed solely to scan your eyeballs? No, that sounds a little creepy? Well, that's too dang bad, because you're getting it anyway.
Tools for Humanity, a start-up backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, debuted the Orb Mini this week, a smartphone-sized device with two massive eye sensors on it. The hardware is part of the World project and app, a grand plan aimed at creating a global identification system.
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The idea is that these sensors, paired with a blockchain registry, could serve as a tool for verifying someone's humanity. And yes, this is because artificial intelligence evangelists envision a world where it's impossible to distinguish between a human being and an AI agent online.
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The Orb orbital scanner is reminiscent of the retinal scanners in Minority Report, a dystopian science-fiction movie, which likely isn't the first association that Tools for Humanity wants for its product.
So, how does the optical scanner work?
Working in tandem with an app, the Orb Mini would scan your iris, which would be associated with a unique ID and stored with blockchain technology. The effort is part of the so-called "World human verification project," according to TechCrunch. Tools for Humanity also has a larger version of the device, simply called The Orb.
Besides proving your humanity, other uses for the technology include verifying your identity on dating apps or being a part of a payment tool. Wired reported World is working with Match to run a pilot program in Japan where Tinder users can use the company's tech to verify their identity. The tech outlet also reported World is working on a Visa-backed debit card and will be launching identification services in six U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco.
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Tools for Humanity may also try to incentivize users to scan their eyes with Orb devices with — what else? — cryptocurrency. As The Verge noted, folks who scan their eyes into the system will receive 16 Worldcoin (WLD), a new cryptocurrency tied to the very same World human verification project.
So, if you're eager to scan your retinas into Sam Altman's eyeball machine, now is your time.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
Tim Marcin is an Associate Editor on the culture team at Mashable, where he mostly digs into the weird parts of the internet. You'll also see some coverage of memes, tech, sports, trends, and the occasional hot take. You can find him on Bluesky (sometimes), Instagram (infrequently), or eating Buffalo wings (as often as possible).
