The High Stakes of Human Verification: Can Worldcoin's Iris Scanning Solution Save the World?

The world is poised on the brink of a technological revolution, with artificial general intelligence (AGI) promising to transform our lives and create new possibilities. But as we hurtle towards this future, a fundamental problem looms: how to verify human identity in a world where AI may soon be smarter than us. Enter Worldcoin, a startup founded by Alex Blania, which aims to solve this problem by scanning the world's irises. But is this solution as dystopian as it sounds? Worldcoin's plan is to create a digital passport, called World ID, that can't be replicated by bots. To achieve this, the company is deploying basketball-sized orbs that scan people's eyeballs and create a unique, immutable code based on the pattern of their irises. This code becomes part of their encrypted, anonymized digital ID. Sounds like science fiction? It's not. Worldcoin has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia and has received support from billionaire VCs like Andreessen Horowitz. But what about the risks? Blania acknowledges that there are many small things that need to fall into place for their project to succeed. He cites the need to communicate clearly, navigate regulatory uncertainty, and ensure that governments and regulators understand the value of their solution. And then there are the existential risks associated with AGI, which Blania downplays as "remote risks" compared to the potential benefits. So, why should you care about Worldcoin's iris scanning solution? According to Blania, their technology is a first step towards verifying human identity in an online world where AI may soon be indistinguishable from humans. He argues that Worldcoin's focus on future problems may seem like a "cute little problem" now, but it's a fundamental shift that will become increasingly important as AI advances. Should you sign up for Worldcoin's ID? Blania compares the process to using Face ID, assuring us that it's no more threatening than using our face to unlock our phones. But isn't it true that every new technology comes with potential bad outcomes? Where do we draw the line between convenience and privacy?