TL;DR

• As artificial intelligence technology advances rapidly, it becomes harder to distinguish humans from AI in digital environments. This growing need to prove humanness has led Tools for Humanity to develop essential technology and infrastructure.
• World ID acts as a digital identity infrastructure that proves humanness. It uses zero-knowledge proof technology to confirm identity without exposing personal information.
• Beyond basic authentication, World ID also functions as a digital identity platform. It supports SDK integration and optional identity verification, enabling effective use across many industries.

1. Introduction

Artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented rate, surpassing Moore’s Law in terms of growth. Its impact reaches nearly every industry. OpenAI recently raised $6.6 billion in funding, the largest investment for a privately held company. This surge in capital signals rapid growth in the AI market and the global race to develop advanced AI technologies.

However, it’s important to recognize another key point: rapid technological development always has two sides, and AI is no exception. As it becomes harder to distinguish humans from AI, new types of crime are emerging. This shift also impacts the business world by distorting markets and undermining fair trade practices.

While these issues have existed since the early days of internet technology, they have grown more complex and sophisticated with advancements in artificial intelligence. Distinguishing advanced bots from real users is now a challenge. This shift threatens the trust and safety of the digital environment and poses serious challenges for society. Efforts to find solutions are underway. Tools for Humanity’s “World Network” is a prime example.

2. World Network: Proof of Human in the Age of AI

Source: World Network

World Network is a project designed to identify and protect real humans in digital environments as artificial intelligence advances. It was co-founded by physicist Alex Blania and AI pioneer Sam Altman. Both founders have extensive experience in AI research and development. Blania focuses on deep learning and its applications in quantum computing. Altman, as co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, has led advancements in AI technology.

They offer a balanced view of AI technology’s advances and recognize the challenges it will bring. Their focus is on preserving human uniqueness in a future filled with advanced AI. To address this, they founded Tools For Humanity (TFH) and launched World Network. World Network centers on “proof of human.” Its mission is to identify and protect real humans in complex digital environments and to promote responsible technology use.

To achieve this, World Network uses the iris, the most reliable biometric information. Each person’s iris is unique and has a low misrecognition rate. This provides secure authentication. Even identical twins have distinct iris patterns that stay consistent over time. World Network has developed a system that uses these qualities to verify human identity with a de-identified iris code.

3. World Network’s Humanness Verification Process

World Network’s human verification process operates as follows. First, the user installs the World App on their smartphone and creates a World ID. Next, they scan the QR code of their World ID using the Orb, a device that verifies an individual as a unique human, at a designated verification location.

Source: World Network

Then, the Orb takes an image of the user’s iris and face. The Orb then generates an iris code and verifies its integrity. After verification, the original iris image is immediately deleted from the Orb. For the World ID authentication process, the iris code is sent with end-to-end encryption via the public key to the user’s smartphone. Only combining the public key with the user’s private key stored in the smartphone can decrypt the iris code, therefore completing the authentication. This approach keeps the data secure and fully under the user’s control.

Independent Trusted Organizations Operating the Decentralized Database of World IDs (October 2024), Source: World Network

The iris code is divided into fragments and stored in anonymized form through Secure Multi-Party Computation (SMPC) technology. These fragments are distributed among trusted organizations in the U.S., Germany, and other locations. Each organization has access only to its specific fragments. This structure strengthens data anonymity and security. As more universities and non-profit organizations join, the approach is expected to become even more robust. Once all steps are completed, users can prove their unique identity online with a verified World ID. For more detailed information, visit the World Network’s “Private by Design” page.

4. World ID: The New Standard for Digital Identity

With World Network, proving humanness is more than just a “certificate.” World ID builds on this core attribute and is emerging as an adaptable digital identity platform. It can integrate with various services through SDKs and add extra identity information as needed.

Source: World Network

With over 7 million verified users in 160+ countries, World ID is now integrated with major services like Shopify, Telegram, and Reddit. Users can link a government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, to their World ID. This optional feature lets users verify specific information, like age or nationality, when needed. These capabilities enable access to age-restricted services, country-specific offerings, and certification verification, among other uses.

In addition to its scalability, World ID uses blockchain and zero-knowledge proof technology to protect privacy. This setup lets users prove only the necessary information without revealing personal details. For example, a service requiring age verification can confirm a user is an adult without accessing their date of birth. These features establish World ID as the new standard for digital identity authentication in the age of artificial intelligence.

5. How Can World ID Be Used?

As artificial intelligence technologies become more accessible, the risk of manipulation and fraud through bots and fake accounts increases. This challenge is particularly relevant in business environments. World IDs have the potential to address these issues effectively. With their scalability, they can be applied to diverse environments and a range of problems. Next, we’ll explore specific examples of how World IDs can be used across various industries and services.

5.1. World ID Application in Social Network Services

Source: @elonmusk

Social network services are facing a crisis as AI advancements make bot-generated content more sophisticated and affordable. Elon Musk has reported that fake and spam accounts on X (formerly Twitter) account for about 20% of all users. These accounts harm the platform’s credibility by manipulating public opinion and promoting fraud through ads and spam.

This risk is expected to grow as artificial intelligence technology advances. World ID aims to address this issue with a unique identity verification system based on biometric authentication. By allowing only one account per person, World ID can effectively prevent fake accounts and reduce platform abuse.

5.2. World ID Application in Subscription-Based Services

Subscription-based services often face challenges with multiple account abuse. Platforms like YouTube and Netflix report a rise in users creating extra accounts to exploit free trials or resell access. This issue complicates identifying real users, increases acquisition costs, and reduces efficiency across the industry.

Reselling Free Trial Accounts for Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, etc. on X, Source: Each X Account

World ID’s unique identity verification system aims to address these structural issues by confirming that each user is a real person and preventing duplicate accounts. This solution is expected to greatly enhance cost efficiency in the subscription service industry.

5.3. World ID Application in Concert Market

World ID can have a significant impact in the concert market. This industry faces persistent issues, such as unfair trade practices, black market ticket sales from multiple account use, and lengthy wait times at venues. World ID addresses these challenges and offers the potential to enhance the entire process, from ticket purchase to admission.

Long Queue for Entry to Taylor Swift’s Concert, Source: Christoph Reichwein/dpa

At the ticket purchase stage, World ID prevents multi-account use and verifies identities in advance. This process ensures fair transactions and gives more opportunities to genuine attendees. At the venue, World ID, along with the recently piloted Face Auth feature, enables quick and accurate identity checks. This method provides a more efficient and reliable entry process than traditional manual ID verification. It also reduces wait times and minimizes inconvenience for patrons.

This improvement also benefits concert organizers. A streamlined admission process reduces operational costs and enhances audience management efficiency. As a result, World ID is expected to boost overall efficiency and increase audience satisfaction.

5.4. World ID Application in E-Commerce

Fake review example, Source: WIRED

World ID can be effectively applied in the e-commerce industry. The e-commerce industry has exploded over the past few years, but with the development of artificial intelligence, it is facing new challenges. One major issue is the unreliability of review systems, which are crucial for users’ purchasing decisions. AI has made it easier to generate fake reviews on a large scale, compromising users’ ability to make rational purchasing choices.

Research by the UK government suggests that 11-15% of all reviews for common products in the UK e-commerce market may be fake. Large platforms like Amazon also face this issue, which has led to more user complaints. Most e-commerce platforms handle review reliability issues only after they occur. In contrast, World ID offers a proactive solution. By allowing only real, World ID-verified shoppers to write reviews, it can significantly reduce AI-generated fake reviews. This approach helps buyers make rational decisions and improves the overall reliability of the e-commerce ecosystem.

5.5. World ID Application in Crime Prevention, Including Deepfakes

Source: KnowBe4

A notable example involves North Korean developers who used deepfake technology to falsify their identities and secure jobs. Such cases are increasing with the corresponding rise of remote work positions. Developers from North Korea were discovered working under false identities on projects such as Injective, Fantom, and SushiSwap. They used deepfake technology during identity verification processes, such as video interviews, to pass as legitimate applicants. Once hired, they attempted to access internal systems and steal funds.

The February breach at multinational firm Arup underscores the severity of this issue. Criminals impersonated the CFO and tricked employees by using fake voices and images in video conferences. They also sent phishing emails to gain access to sensitive information. This incident shows that crimes involving AI are no longer hypothetical threats but are already causing significant harm.

These examples show that traditional identity verification methods no longer offer sufficient security. In response, World Network introduced World ID Deep Face. This feature addresses deep fake risks by confirming real human presence in video conferences and streaming environments.

How World ID Deep Face works, Source: World Network

World ID Deep Face is accessible through the World app and desktop experience and can be extended as an SDK. This technology integrates smoothly into platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, Twitch, and YouTube. By doing so, it enhances security and prevents identity fraud with Deep Face. Additionally, it can be applied to recruitment platforms and other services that require identity verification. World ID Deep Face is expected to be a pivotal tool in combating AI-driven identity fraud.

6. Challenges Facing World ID and How They Can Be Addressed

With its strong security and usability, World ID has the potential to become a key identity verification infrastructure in the AI era. However, several challenges remain. The main issues are 1) resistance to using biometric information, 2) the risk of World ID abuse, and 3) physical accessibility to the Orb device.

6.1. Public Resistance to the Use of Biometric Information

While the World Network’s humanness verification method is highly authentic, it faces challenges with public resistance to biometric information. The primary concern among the public is fear of privacy breaches. To gain trust, World Network must implement strong security measures.

World Network addresses this by using Anonymized Multi-Party Computation (AMPC) technology. This method divides the iris code into separate pieces, stores them in a distributed and de-identified form, and manages them as numerical data rather than images. Additionally, after prove, only the World ID is used for authentication, not the iris code itself. These security measures aim to ease public concerns about using biometric data.

Source: Apple Optic ID (Left), Samsung Face Recognition (Right)

The adoption of biometrics across industries plays an important role in building social acceptance. As biometric technologies like Apple’s Optic ID and Samsung’s facial recognition become part of daily life, people are likely to grow more comfortable with them. This gradual exposure helps raise public awareness, supporting the faster adoption of World ID.

6.2. Possible World ID Abuse Cases

Another challenge with World IDs is the potential for abuse through account sales. In traditional industries, sold account activities through ID trading are common. World ID utilizes sensitive biometric data, such as iris scans, which may also be exposed to the risk of trading. Such account transactions could threaten the system’s reliability.

To address this, the World Network has implemented various security features. For instance, World ID authentication uses facial image data stored on the user’s smartphone. Additionally, if a user unknowingly sells their account, they can still recover it through the World ID Reset feature. This safeguard helps protect users in cases of account sales, loss, or theft. These security measures are expected to enhance system flexibility while minimizing abuse.

Source: Vitalik Buterin

Expanding the World ID ecosystem may naturally reduce abuse. Sold accounts often lack organic activity and display behavior patterns different from real users. Verifying users first with hardware-based biometric authentication, and then adding social graph authentication over time, could help further verify the authenticity of a user. As user activity increases, it becomes easier to monitor and detect patterns in sold accounts. Vitalik Buterin also suggests that combining biometric and social graph authentication can build long-term trust.

6.3. Accessibility Issues with Orbs

World ID’s iris authentication offers strong security, but requiring in-person verification with an Orb presents a major barrier. This issue is not only about distance; it also involves the difficulty of mass-producing and distributing high-cost Orb devices worldwide.

Orb 2.0 features, Source: World Network

To address this, World Network is open-sourcing the Orb design to support global production. It is also collaborating with Chain Partners in South Korea through the Second Orb Project for hardware co-development. The newly unveiled Orb 2.0 is faster to produce, accelerates verification, and requires 30% fewer parts. These improvements greatly enhance production efficiency.

Orb on Demand, Source: World Network

We will place Orbs in everyday locations, like coffee shops, to improve user accessibility. In South America, we’ll introduce an “Orb on Demand” service through a partnership with Rappi, allowing users to authenticate their World IDs from home. This expanded accessibility brings new challenges. Management and security concerns, similar to those faced by ATMs, are key issues. Even so, World Network’s efforts are an important step toward a global proof-of-humanity infrastructure.

7. Conclusion

With rapid advances in AI technology, it is becoming harder to distinguish humans from AI. As a result, the need to prove humanness is more critical than ever. However, it is no simple task. The challenge lies in the scale and complexity of verifying the humanity of a global population of approximately 8.1 billion people.

Source: Times of India

In such cases, biometrics stands out as the most effective option. India’s Aadhaar system is an excellent example. By using iris and fingerprints, the Indian government successfully enrolled around 95% of the country’s adult population. This system has simplified access to services like financial activities. Implementing such a large-scale biometric system in India, with a population of over 1.4 billion, demonstrates the potential of biometric-based identity verification. It also suggests the feasibility of a global system like World Network.

World Network builds on this approach. It uses zero-knowledge proofs alongside blockchain to strengthen security and privacy. Real-world applications are underway. For instance, the Malaysian government’s digital credential project utilizes World Network’s iris scanning technology. Additionally, WorldChain aims to improve scalability by creating a permissionless system suited for global use.

These advancements suggest that World Network could grow from basic proof of human to a global identity infrastructure. However, challenges remain. Low social acceptance, abuse risks, and regulatory concerns are key issues. How World Network addresses these challenges will be crucial to its full establishment.

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