OpenAI social network will use Worldcoin iris verification! WLD surges 16%

OpenAI is developing a social network that may incorporate Worldcoin’s Orb iris scanning technology for identity verification. After the news broke, WLD surged 16% in a single day to $0.53. Sam Altman is simultaneously the CEO of OpenAI and co-founder of Tools for Humanity, the core entity behind World. This collaboration will integrate their two empires.

Sam Altman’s Dual Empire Strategic Layout

(Source: Worldcoin)

The social network plan proposed by OpenAI conceals Sam Altman’s strategic ambitions. This AI giant CEO not only oversees the world’s most influential artificial intelligence company, OpenAI, but is also a co-founder of Tools for Humanity, which is the driving force behind the World project. This dual identity provides inherent synergistic advantages for potential collaboration between OpenAI and Worldcoin.

Since its launch, the Worldcoin project has issued over 17 million World IDs, requiring users to scan their irises on-site with Orb to verify their identity. This unique verification mechanism aligns closely with OpenAI’s plan to create a robot-free social platform. If this collaboration materializes, it will be Altman’s first substantial integration of his AI empire with a crypto-based identity verification empire, creating a new social ecosystem spanning Web2 and Web3.

According to anonymous sources from Forbes, the small team developing OpenAI’s new social network is fewer than 10 people and is still in early stages. Besides the Orb technology from Worldcoin, the team is also evaluating biometric verification methods like Apple’s Face ID. This exploration of multiple technical routes demonstrates OpenAI’s emphasis on identity verification and openness to different technological solutions.

The timing of the news release is also quite significant. In April, The Verge reported that OpenAI was developing a social network but did not disclose specific technical details. Now, with the emergence of the Worldcoin integration plan, the outline of this mysterious project is gradually becoming clearer. OpenAI’s possible strategy is to leverage the success of ChatGPT and Sora to create a social media platform free from robot interference, which currently plagues platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.

Proof of Personhood vs. Identity Verification: A Technological Revolution

The core concept of World Network is “Proof of Personhood,” which fundamentally differs from traditional identity verification (KYC). KYC aims to confirm “who you are” by collecting personal information such as name, address, and ID number. Proof of Personhood only needs to verify “that you are a real and unique human,” without knowing your specific identity.

This technology uses a device called Orb to scan people’s irises and generate a cryptographic proof called World ID. The key point is that the system does not store raw biometric images but converts them into privacy-preserving identifiers to prevent duplicate identities. The World project states that this design ensures user privacy because even if the database is hacked, the encrypted identifiers cannot be reverse-engineered to reveal the original iris images.

Three Major Advantages of Proof of Personhood

Privacy Protection: Does not collect real identity information, only verifies human uniqueness, compliant with GDPR and other privacy laws

Prevents Multiple Registrations: Each iris feature is unique, thoroughly eliminating bot farms with multiple accounts

Decentralized Design: Encrypted proofs can be used across multiple platforms without relying on a centralized identity database

As AI-generated bots flood social platforms, governance systems, and token distribution mechanisms, proof of personhood becomes increasingly important. Traditional CAPTCHA and phone number verification are no longer sufficient to fend off AI-driven bot attacks. As a leader in AI technology, OpenAI deeply understands the severity of this threat and has chosen biometric verification, which is the hardest to forge.

However, the iris scanning method used by World has raised privacy concerns among advocacy groups. In the past, some groups expressed worries about verifying “personhood” through eye scans. The World Network has faced regulatory scrutiny in multiple regions due to biometric data collection, which has slowed deployment in certain markets. If OpenAI truly adopts this technology, balancing security and privacy protection will be a key challenge.

WLD Surges 16%: How the Market Interprets This Signal

(Source: CoinGecko)

Reportedly, OpenAI is exploring proof of personhood technology, and this news boosted Worldcoin’s stock price by 16%. Within hours of the announcement, WLD rose to around $0.53, marking one of the largest single-day gains in recent months. Investors reacted to the possibility that World’s core identity theory might be validated, and trading volume also surged.

This market reaction reflects investor expectations for real-world applications of Worldcoin. For a long time, the biggest challenge for crypto projects has been finding genuine use cases. If a tech giant like OpenAI adopts World ID, it would provide unprecedented demand support and brand endorsement for Worldcoin. This is not only a catalyst for the token price but also a validation of the entire decentralized identity (DID) track.

However, it’s important to note that reports only mention that OpenAI is “evaluating” biometric verification methods, including Apple’s Face ID and World’s iris scanning technology, without confirming any formal partnership. This uncertainty means the current price increase may be overly optimistic. If OpenAI ultimately chooses other verification methods or the project progresses less than expected, WLD could face a correction.

From a technical perspective, WLD previously experienced a prolonged downturn. While the 16% single-day increase is notable, it remains far from its historical high. Whether the market can sustain this upward momentum depends on further substantive progress news. Investors should remain cautious and avoid making major decisions based solely on rumors.

The Robot Crisis Forcing Platforms to Rethink Identity Systems

OpenAI’s exploration of proof of personhood stems from the broader social media industry’s robot crisis. Earlier this month, X updated its API and algorithm rules to block so-called InfoFi crypto projects, which incentivize posting and participation to earn rewards. X stated that these incentives fostered bot activity and low-quality content, worsening spam issues.

This crackdown highlights the current dilemma faced by social platforms. On one hand, they need active users to sustain vitality and ad revenue. On the other hand, the proliferation of bots and fake accounts severely damages user experience and content quality. Traditional moderation mechanisms are no longer effective against large-scale AI-driven bot attacks. Platforms are shifting from passive moderation to stricter identity and participation controls.

Proof of personhood has become one of the few solutions that do not rely entirely on full identity disclosure. It protects privacy while effectively preventing bot accounts. This balance is crucial for social networks, as excessive verification could scare off privacy-conscious genuine users. World’s approach offers a middle ground: ensuring each account is backed by a real human without requiring users to disclose sensitive info like name and address.

At the end of last year, World partnered with Web3 gaming studio Mythical Games to distinguish bots from real users. This collaboration demonstrates the potential of proof of personhood technology in gaming. If OpenAI’s social network succeeds, it could trigger more platforms to adopt similar tech, fundamentally changing online identity verification paradigms.

Although OpenAI has not announced products or timelines, market reactions indicate that crypto investors remain highly sensitive to signals that large tech companies are seriously addressing decentralized identity and human verification. This attention suggests that identity verification technology could become a hot intersection point between crypto and mainstream tech.