Tools for Humanity, a startup working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and Web3 technologies, has announced its next step. Founded in collaboration with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the project has introduced the Orb Mini, a mobile device designed to distinguish between humans and AI agents.
The Orb Mini was first demonstrated by Rich Healey, the company’s head of devices and former Apple designer, at an event called “At Last” in San Francisco. It is designed in a smartphone-like body and is equipped with two large sensors that scan the user’s retina. This technology provides the user with a unique “human” identifier based on the blockchain.
In fact, the World (formerly Worldcoin) project was created based on the idea of controlling the tangled entanglement of humanity with artificial intelligence. The company aims to identify millions of people through these Orb devices. There are now over 26 million registered users, with over 12 million verified.
The Orb Mini is being offered as a portable alternative to the company’s larger Orb devices. The device’s primary purpose is not to run apps, but to simplify mass verification. After the presentation, project co-founder Alex Blania said that the device could eventually have POS (point of sale) functionality, and even the sensor technology could be licensed to other manufacturers.
Tools for Humanity is also launching World Network stores in the US. The stores, which will open in Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco, will offer people the opportunity to register through Orb.
The announcements mark the expansion of the World project in the US. The project is currently more active in South America, Latin America, and Asia.
It’s not yet clear whether the Orb Mini has any direct connection to OpenAI. But the fact that Sam Altman is involved in both projects increases the possibility of World and OpenAI integrating in the future.
