Is a Mega Deal Brewing? Sam Altman’s OpenAI May Partner with Worldcoin

Last Updated on April 29, 2024

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Key Takeaways:

  • Potential Partnership: OpenAI and Worldcoin, both linked to Sam Altman, are discussing a potential partnership to leverage AI in cryptocurrency services, particularly for universal basic income and identity verification.
  • Regulatory Challenges: Both OpenAI and Worldcoin face significant regulatory hurdles, with Worldcoin recently banned in several countries and OpenAI navigating EU probes.
  • Technological Advancements: Worldcoin is enhancing its technological infrastructure with a new blockchain-based layer-2 solution and expanding the use of its iris-scanning “orbs” despite facing supply issues.

In an emerging development within the tech and cryptocurrency sectorsOpenAI and Tools For Humanity’s Worldcoin are reportedly discussing a potential partnership.

Both firms were co-founded by Sam Altman, who currently leads OpenAI, an artificial intelligence powerhouse, and has significant ties to Worldcoin, a company focused on leveraging cryptocurrency for universal basic income and identity verification.

According to Bloomberg, the talks center around OpenAI providing AI technology and services to Worldcoin, with the potential for expanded collaboration in the future.

This possible alliance is drawing notable attention, likely due to the dual roles of Altman, as suggested by Alex Blania, CEO of Tools for Humanity.

Blania told Bloomberg, “I think it’s just because of Sam. Just, like, much more attention than you would usually face as a company of that size or a project of that size.”

Worldcoin operates one of the globe’s most utilized services for universal basic income and identity verification, with an average of two million daily users.

Despite its significant user base, the firm and its affiliations have not been without controversy or regulatory challenges.

Historically, OpenAI has navigated regulatory landscapes successfully, including deflecting a probe into its association with Microsoft, which was scrutinized by the European Union as a potential merger but was eventually dismissed.

Similarly, Worldcoin has faced regulatory pushback, with recent bans in countries like PortugalKenya, and Spain in early 2024.

Adding to its ambitious agenda, Worldcoin has been expanding its technological footprint.

The company recently rolled out a blockchain-based layer-2 solution designed to prioritize real human users over automated bots.

Furthermore, the adoption of Worldcoin’s services and its hardware, known as “orbs,” which scan users’ irises for unique identity verification, continues to grow, though it faces challenges like a shortage of these devices.

As the discussion between OpenAI and Worldcoin progresses, the potential implications of their collaboration continue to stir interest and speculation within the technology and regulatory communities.

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Efe Bravo, a seasoned journalist, delivers compelling insights into the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry.

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