Key takeaways
- The world has moved from token rewards to utility-based growth, enabling human verification of AI applications and agents.
- World will build network density in key markets like the US and Japan to maximize real-world utility.
- World ID 4.0 will monetize its 18 million user base by charging apps for credentials, boosting sustainability.
Sam Altman’s World reaches third phase of expansion
World, the controversial biometric proof of human initiative backed by Sam Altman, celebrated its third anniversary and announced the start of a new phase of its development.
The project highlighted that its human-certified network proposition is now stronger than ever in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) agents are now “Book travel, write code, close support tickets, make appointments.”
In the third phase of his so-called “Simple Plan”World focuses on creating utilities for the real human network, introducing its Global identification capabilities towards three key sectors: businesses, individuals and even agents, partnering with category leaders to create use cases implementing its verification technology.
These use cases include verifying people for sensitive digital interactions, including Zoom calls; verifying human participation behind online profiles on social networks like Tinder and events like concert sales; and the introduction of identification of AI agents who have human verifications and act on behalf of verified humans.
The new phase also encompasses a shift from token incentives to utility-based growth, with companies leveraging these services to provide benefits to global users. For example, enhancements or access to exclusive experiences may be enabled for users through third-party companies.
In addition, World will now focus more on a set of countries where utility is considered strongest, including the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea. The approach is to build density in a few key areas, including New York and San Francisco, and then expand outward.
Finally, monetization of this technology is now on the table, as World ID 4.0 allows apps to be charged for creating World ID Credentials, which are documents that can be added to a user’s World ID, while still keeping the experience free for users.
The move opens up a market of over 18 million verified users to businesses and institutions, with fees paid in the protocol’s WLD token, adding to the long-term sustainability of its network.
