Key Takeaways
- World shifted from token rewards to utility-based growth, enabling human verification for apps and AI agents.
- World will build network density in core 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 Sam Altman-backed biometric proof of human initiative, has turned three and has announced the start of a new phase in its development.
The project stressed that its human-certified network proposal is now stronger than ever in an age where artificial intelligence (AI) agents are now “booking travel, writing code, closing support tickets, going on dates.”
In the third phase of its so-called “Simple Plan”, World is focusing on building utility for the real human network, introducing its World ID capabilities towards three key sectors: enterprises, people, and even agents, partnering with category leaders to build use cases implementing its verification tech.
These use cases include verification of people for sensitive digital interactions, including Zoom calls; verification of human participation behind online profiles in social networks like Tinder and events like concert sales; and the introduction of identification for AI agents that have human-in-the-loop 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 offer perks and advantages to World users. For example, boosts or access to exclusive experiences might be enabled for users through third-party companies.
Also, World will now focus its action more heavily on a core set of countries where utility is deemed strongest, including the U.S., Japan, Germany, the U.K. and South Korea. The approach is to build density in a few key areas, including New York and San Francisco, and then scale outwards.
Finally, monetization of this technology is on the table now, as World ID 4.0 allows applications to be charged for the creation of World ID Credentials, which are documents that can be added to a user’s World ID, while maintaining the experience free for users.
The move opens up a market of over 18 million verified users to companies and institutions, with fees paid in the protocol’s token WLD, adding to the long-term sustainability of its network.
