Sam Altman’s World Startup Debuts in US with Human Verification Mission

World, a startup supported by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, officially launched in the United States this week, marked by the opening of its first retail store in San Francisco. Previously known as WorldCoin, the company aims to address the growing challenge of distinguishing humans from artificial intelligence agents online, a concern tied to the rapid advancements in AI technologies, including those developed by Altman’s other venture, OpenAI.

The startup’s core mission is to mitigate the societal impacts of AI-driven technologies. World has introduced innovative devices to support its goal, including the Orb and the newly unveiled Orb Mini. The Orb Mini, designed to resemble a smartphone for portability, performs the same human verification functions as its larger counterpart, the company stated.

World’s U.S. launch follows its rebranding from WorldCoin, reflecting a shift in focus toward creating a robust system for verifying human identity in an increasingly AI-dominated digital landscape. Source highlighted the irony of World’s mission to tackle issues stemming from AI advancements, given Altman’s leadership in OpenAI, a pioneer in the same field.

The opening of the San Francisco store signals the startup’s first major step into the U.S. market, with plans to expand its presence and further develop its technology, according to company statements. World’s efforts come at a time when debates over AI ethics and identity verification are intensifying globally.