Latest news with #ToolsforHumanity
GMA Network
28-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Tools for Humanity partnering with PH developers
Tools for Humanity, co-founded and chaired by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is expanding its presence in Southeast Asia by partnering with developers in the Philippines to build locally relevant 'Mini Apps' and 'proof-of-human tools' aimed at securing digital spaces in the age of AI. Tools for Humanity is a software and hardware development firm creating digital identity technologies such as the World Network — a global 'proof-of-humanity' network utilizing its 'Orb' biometric device to verify that a user is a human being amid the proliferation of deepfakes and identity fraud in the internet. 'I'm in the Philippines meeting with developers and partners to explore how proof-of-human [technology] can help build a safer, more inclusive internet for Filipinos in the age of AI. With a young, digitally savvy population and a growing middle class eager for new technologies and financial tools, World App's Mini Apps ecosystem is quickly gaining traction. We're happy to collaborate with local developers and technologists to build new Mini Apps — created by Filipinos, for Filipinos,' said Tiago Sada, chief product officer at Tools for Humanity. 'The Philippines has one of the world's most digitally engaged populations,' said Sada. Tools for Humanity's move to launch its human verification device, 'The Orb,' across the Philippines was aimed to combat online fraud amid AI-fueled scams, identity theft, and deepfake. Sada said that with a fast-growing middle class and high mobile penetration, the Philippines is seen as a 'strategic testbed' for innovation, particularly in emerging markets where tech adoption is rapid but online protections remain uneven. He said the tech company's 'Mini Apps' ecosystem —which offers users lightweight digital services built on proof-of-human verification— is gaining traction in markets where access to traditional banking and government infrastructure is limited. By tapping into local developer networks, Sada said World Network aims to build products that 'are not only technically robust but also culturally and economically relevant—bridging gaps in trust, access, and inclusion.' Sada cited as a use-case for World Network's human verification technology the Philippine government's cash aid program, which can be tapped to weed out 'ghost beneficiaries.' He said the tech firm is continuously in discussions with relevant government agencies such the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), but declined to divulge further details. —KG, GMA Integrated News
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Reddit Mulls Eye-Scanning Tech to Combat AI Bots and Uphold Anonymity
In a bold move to clamp down on AI-generated bots, Reddit is reportedly in talks to adopt a futuristic identity verification system that scans users' irises. The technology, known as the Orb, is part of the World ID project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The idea is simple but ambitious: confirm that a user is human—without ever revealing their personal information. According to an exclusive report by Semafor, the social media platform is evaluating the use of World ID to curb the rise of sophisticated AI bots, which have grown harder to detect due to the surge in tools like ChatGPT. If implemented, Reddit users may soon be asked to prove they are real by looking into a shiny, spherical device that scans their eyes. World ID is the cornerstone of Altman's broader initiative, World (formerly Worldcoin). At the heart of the system is the Orb, a biometric scanner that captures a person's iris and face to generate a unique, encrypted digital identity. Once the scan is complete, the original images are deleted, and a secure code—stored locally on the user's phone—serves as proof of their humanity. As Reddit remains rooted in pseudonymity, with millions of users engaging in anonymous dialogue, the platform is treading carefully. Sources told Semafor that Reddit intends to offer 'many' other forms of user verification in addition to World ID, though specific alternatives have not been disclosed. If adopted, the World ID system could let users continue browsing and posting anonymously—but with an added layer of authenticity. The goal is to preserve the platform's community-driven culture while addressing growing concerns about misinformation, spam, and bot activity. The Orb itself has already made its way into various parts of the world. After debuting in six U.S. cities earlier this year, the technology recently arrived in the U.K., with devices now seen in shopping malls and high-street stores in London. Expansion to cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Belfast, and Glasgow is expected soon. Tools for Humanity, the company behind the Orb, also plans to place self-service kiosks in select retail locations, much like ATMs. For users who opt in, there's a sweetener—those signing up for World ID receive a portion of the project's native cryptocurrency, Worldcoin (WLD), as a reward. However, this high-tech solution has not come without controversy. World ID has faced regulatory scrutiny across multiple countries. Germany, Argentina, and Kenya have launched investigations into its use, while Spain and Hong Kong have banned it altogether. In South Korea, the firm was recently fined over $800,000 for violating privacy laws. Still, Tools for Humanity asserts that user privacy is central to their mission. They claim no biometric data is stored and that all information is anonymised and encrypted. 'World ID is safer and more privacy-conscious than other systems, such as India's Aadhaar,' said project co-lead Alex Blania, referencing Aadhaar's history of data breaches. With over 1,500 Orb scanners already in operation and plans to roll out 12,000 more, Reddit's potential adoption of this controversial technology underscores a larger dilemma faced by online platforms today: how to preserve human integrity in a digital world increasingly shaped by AI.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Reddit may partner with Sam Altman's World ID for user verification via iris scan
Reddit is exploring a partnership with World ID, a biometric verification system developed by Tools for Humanity – a company co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. If the deal goes through, Reddit users may soon be able to confirm their identity by scanning their irises using a device known as the Orb, reported Semafor. Iris scans to verify identity? This new-age method could soon come to Reddit (Representational image) The proposed system would verify that a user is a real, unique human without requiring personal information like names or email addresses - preserving anonymity while helping Reddit fight the growing wave of AI-generated bots. World ID is the central offering of Tools for Humanity and pitches itself as a way to provide "anonymous proof of human." Rather than traditional identification methods, World ID lets users verify their humanity through methods like the company's signature biometric scanner – the Orb. The Orb captures and processes iris scans, generating a World ID that can be used across various platforms. The company insists that neither iris images nor biometric data are stored or revealed, claiming privacy is a key feature of the system. Reddit's evolving verification needs Currently, Reddit verifies users via email, a method that's proven inadequate in tackling fake accounts and AI-driven spam. With governments across the world pushing for stricter online age verification laws, and platforms struggling to maintain authenticity without compromising anonymity, Reddit appears to be exploring next-gen solutions. In a recent Reddit post, co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman said, 'AI and age verification laws' would eventually require the platform to confirm whether users are 'human and of a certain age.' He added that Reddit would rely on third-party providers to avoid storing user information, emphasising the site's commitment to both anonymity and authenticity. Huffman also raised concerns about the rise of AI content on the platform, writing, 'unwelcome AI in communities is a serious concern. It is the worry I hear most often these days from users and mods alike. Reddit works because it's human. It's one of the few places online where real people share real opinions. That authenticity is what gives Reddit its value. If we lose trust in that, we lose what makes Reddit…Reddit. Our focus is, and always will be, on keeping Reddit a trusted place for human conversation.' However, the proposed verification method has already come under backlash, with Reddit users citing possible privacy concerns.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reddit in talks to use Sam Altman's World ID for user verification
-- Reddit Inc (NYSE:RDDT) is in talks to integrate World ID, an iris-scanning identity verification system developed by Tools for Humanity, according to a report by Semafor. The tool would allow Reddit users to prove they are real individuals while preserving their anonymity on the platform. The discussions come as social media companies face mounting pressure to combat AI-generated content and comply with emerging global regulations on age and identity verification. Governments are increasingly urging platforms to distinguish between authentic users and automated accounts. World ID's parent company, Tools for Humanity, was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The group's broader mission is to provide universal basic income globally through the Worldcoin cryptocurrency, distributed to individuals who verify their identity via iris scans using the company's Orb device. Adopting World ID would mark a major milestone for Tools for Humanity and represent a shift for Reddit, which has traditionally prioritized anonymity but is now preparing to face heightened scrutiny over platform integrity. The addition of biometric verification could help Reddit build greater trust with users and investors alike. Privacy advocates have raised questions about the ethics of biometric data collection, though proponents argue such systems offer a robust way to counter bots without requiring real names. The move could help Reddit strike a balance between user privacy and content authenticity. If the agreement proceeds, Reddit would become one of the highest-profile adopters of decentralized identity verification. The outcome may set a precedent for how social platforms adapt to the dual pressures of AI threats and regulatory demands. Related articles Reddit in talks to use Sam Altman's World ID for user verification - Semafor QXO won't participate in bidding war for GMS - source Regulators clear Canadian Natural's SLB acquisition after divestiture agreement Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sam Altman's eye-scanning identification tech expands to UK
HighlightsTools for Humanity, co-founded by Sam Altman, is launching its eye-mapping Orb devices in the United Kingdom as part of a global expansion of its identification services. The Orb device creates a digital credential called World ID based on the unique properties of a person's iris, allowing individuals to prove their identity amid rising artificial intelligence threats. The company has faced regulatory scrutiny over privacy concerns in multiple markets, but claims it does not store personal information, with verification details kept on the users' mobile phones. Tools for Humanity , a startup co-founded by OpenAI's Sam Altman , is rolling out its eyeball-scanning Orb devices to the UK as part of a global expansion of the company's novel identification services. Starting this week, people in London will be able to scan their eyes using Tools for Humanity's proprietary Orb device, the company said in a statement on Monday. The service will roll out to Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Belfast and Glasgow in the coming months. The spherical Orbs will be at dedicated premises in shopping malls and on high streets, said Damien Kieran, chief legal and privacy officer at Tools for Humanity. Later, the company plans to partner with major retailers to provide self-serve Orbs that people can use as they would an ATM, Kieran added. The company, led by co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Alex Blania, has presented its eye-scanning technology as a way for people to prove they are human at a time when artificial intelligence systems are becoming more adept at mimicking people. AI bots and deepfakes , including those enabled by generative AI tools created by Altman's OpenAI, pose a range of security threats, including identity theft, misinformation and social engineering. The Orb scan creates a digital credential, called World ID, based on the unique properties of a person's iris. Those who agree to the scan can also receive a cryptocurrency token called Worldcoin through the company. Tools for Humanity has faced regulatory scrutiny over privacy concerns about its technology in several markets, including investigations in Germany and Argentina, as well as bans in Spain and Hong Kong. The company said it doesn't store any personal information or biometric data and that the verification information remains on the World ID holder's mobile phone. Kieran said Tools for Humanity had been meeting with data regulators including the UK's Information Commissioner's Office and privacy advocates ahead of the planned expansion. So far, about 13 million people in countries including Mexico, Germany, Japan, Korea, Portugal and Thailand have verified their identities using Tools for Humanity's technology, the company said. In April, the company announced plans to expand to six US cities. Earlier this year, the company unveiled the Orb Mini, a smartphone-sized and -shaped device designed as a more portable alternative to the spherical version. There are 1,500 Orbs in circulation, Kieran said, but the company plans to ramp up production to ship 12,000 more over the next 12 months.
