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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman surprised the tech world on Thursday Release of the operatorcompany’s first AI agent that can move autonomously on the Internet.
But OpenAI isn’t Altman’s only venture trying to capitalize on the popularity of artificial intelligence agents.
Altman’s World project now wants to create tools that link some AI agents to people’s online identities, allowing other users to verify that an agent is acting on a person’s behalf, says its product director Tiago Sada.
World, a web3 project by Altman and Alex Blania’s Tools for Humanity, formerly known as Worldcoin, is based on the idea that it will eventually be impossible to separate humans from AI agents on the Internet. To address this, World wants to create digital “human proof” tools. After scanning your pupil with a silver metal sphere, World will give you a unique identifier on its blockchain to confirm you’re human.
It’s worth noting that Tools has a reputation for finding itself in pivots and controversies for Mankind. The world started as a crypto project temporarily banned in some countriesand it happened Recently, Europeans were allowed to delete their biometric data by request. Project in October threw a “penny” on his behalfstates that it will focus more on human verification and less on cryptocurrency.
It may seem like a differentiator when validating AI agents to do things on behalf of humans. The world’s mission is to verify people with web3 IDsSada says this is a critical and logical next step for the project.
“The idea of entrusting your ‘proof of identity’ to an agent and letting them act on your behalf is really important,” he told TechCrunch. “Instead of only allowing people you think are human (on your website), you will also allow AI agents that represent a real human. This is where the World IS comes in.”
The world’s ID technology can also be used to license AI agents to act on your behalf, Sada said. a last blog postthe project notes that proof of its human tools will not only distinguish humans from bots as it is now, but can also help humans manage a network of AI agents online.
It seems that the world is expanding its tools to verify “digital actions” that belong to a person, even if they do not come from their account. It says in the project its tools for artificial intelligence will be essential in 2025however, Sada said the firm “needs to see” whether any of these tools involve connecting AI agents with humans. It sounds like the startup is thinking about it, though.
“There are certain programs where it doesn’t matter whether an actual person is using it or an agent acting on their behalf. It’s just important to know that there is a person who validates this interaction,” said Sada.
Today, many websites use Cloudflare and Snowflake tools to prevent AI bots from hacking their websites. Early adopters of OpenAI’s Operator found it some sites have blocked OpenAI’s new agent by default.
But Sada says companies may reconsider allowing some AI agents to use their services.
“At the end of the day, businesses want to sell more. They want to serve more users,” said Sada. “If the sales of the delivery program increase because there are a bunch of agents coming and responding on behalf of their users, the business will be happy.”
This example is quite timely. OpenAI announced that it has partnered with Uber, Instacart and DoorDash to allow the new Operator agent to use their platforms. This is a big change for these companies, which are used to serving users in their applications. Instead, online businesses are now preparing for a future where some user interactions will be facilitated by AI agents.
“If an agent comes up with a blue tick and says, ‘Yes, I’m a robot.’ Don’t worry, don’t be afraid. I’m actually here to buy a hot dog for Tiago,’ then those businesses can let him (the agent) in,” Sada said.
The problem with including every AI agent or every bot on the web is that it can open your website up to DDOS attacks, fraud, or other bad actors. By allowing only a few AI agents per person, businesses can reach new users through these agents without risking the integrity of their sites, Sada says.
Many of Altman’s initiatives may seem haphazard, but when viewed together, they create a network of tools to power an AI-powered future, with OpenAI expanding at its center. The beginning of its nuclear fusion, Helion Energycould one day power OpenAI’s data centers, and Retro Biosciences, the long-running science startup it backs, already Try to extend human lifespan using OpenAI models.
The big question in the world is whether its tools will one day integrate more deeply with OpenAI. Altman speaks at World events, talks to the team supposedly every week, and the project continues to lean towards AI work.
Platforms appear to be lining up to allow OpenAI agents to use their services, but the World can play an important role in vetting those agents and others.
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