Kenya suspends Sam Altman’s Worldcoin A.I.-crypto scheme, a first for any country.

Kenya suspends Sam Altman's Worldcoin A.I.-crypto scheme, a first for any country.

Worldcoin: A Grand Scheme with Multiple Facets

Worldcoin has quickly gained attention for its ambitious aim to provide a system that proves people are humans and not artificial intelligence (AI). To achieve this, Worldcoin entices individuals to have their eyes scanned in exchange for a new cryptocurrency called WLD. Worldcoin even suggests that this could pave the way for an AI-funded universal basic income (UBI) as automation takes over jobs. However, recent developments in Kenya have raised concerns about potential risks to the public, resulting in the halting of all Worldcoin activity in the country.

Kenya initially played a significant role in Worldcoin’s first stage, hosting 18 iris-scanning sites known as Orbs. Over 350,000 Kenyans have already signed up, each receiving 25 WLD. Yet, the country’s interior ministry is now conducting investigations into the data-protection implications and how the harvested data will be used. In response, Worldcoin has decided to pause verification services in Kenya to work with local officials in increasing understanding of their privacy measures and commitments.

Despite this setback, Worldcoin’s European general manager, Ricardo Macieira, remains optimistic about their global expansion, aiming to roll out to parts of the world that welcome them. Macieira describes Worldcoin as an “infrastructure” that allows third parties, such as coffee shops, to verify customers’ identities without abusing promotions. However, doubts remain about the willingness of governments to embrace Worldcoin.

One significant challenge for Worldcoin lies in data-protection implications. While the company claims not to store biometric data, there is still a collection of sensitive data through iris scans. Both European Union (EU) and Kenyan privacy laws impose strict restrictions on the collection and processing of such data, requiring explicit and freely given user consent. Worldcoin’s lengthy consent form and privacy notice, combined with the allure of free tokens, could potentially raise issues with regulators.

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Furthermore, governments may perceive Worldcoin as an unacceptable power play. Universal basic income is a topic of interest, even before the threat of widespread job automation. However, reconfiguring an economy around a foreign tech company’s distribution platform could raise concerns about sovereignty and control. Just as Facebook’s Libra scheme faced government pushback due to privacy problems and its impact on central banks, Worldcoin may also encounter resistance due to political considerations.

In light of Kenya’s quick response to Worldcoin’s activities, it remains to be seen if other governments will follow suit. The skepticism about Worldcoin’s feasibility, coupled with potential regulatory challenges and political hurdles, suggests that its grand scheme may encounter more obstacles than anticipated.

News Highlights

• New Tesla probe: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating steering problems in this year’s Tesla Model 3 and Model Y cars. Control issues have been raised by numerous drivers, with one incident resulting in a crash. This investigation affects up to 280,000 Teslas in the U.S.

• Twitter rebrand continues: TweetDeck has been renamed XPro. Meanwhile, XBlue (formerly Twitter Blue) now allows subscribers to hide their verification checkmarks.

• AMD plans A.I. chip push: AMD anticipates strong demand for its MI300 chips, marking a significant entry into the artificial intelligence space. The market is booming, and competitors like Nvidia struggle to meet demand. However, AMD will need to tweak its MI300s for the Chinese market due to export restrictions.

Significant Figures

$233 billion: The combined profits of the top three U.S. tech firms, Apple (No. 8), Alphabet (No. 17), and Microsoft (No. 30), according to the latest ANBLE Global 500 list.

In Case You Missed It

• Uber’s CEO clueless about cab costs: Uber’s CEO was shocked to find he didn’t know the price of a 3-mile ride in his own company’s cabs. This revelation raises questions about internal knowledge and understanding within the company.

• Tesla’s rivals struggle: Several competitors are launching electric vehicle (EV) models to rival Tesla, but most fail to match the quality and performance of Musk’s company.

• Lessons from a deadly self-driving car crash: Five years after a fatal Uber self-driving car crash, businesses are still grappling with ethical and operational challenges in the development of artificial intelligence.

• YouTube’s Shorts competes with TikTok: YouTube’s Shorts has quickly gained traction, with 2 billion views per month. The platform introduces new features such as “collabs” and stickers to enhance audience participation.

• Lingering concerns about A.I. “hallucinations”: Experts doubt that ChatGPT and A.I. “hallucinations” will ever cease to exist, raising concerns about the potential for harm and the future of synthetic media.

• Meta blocks news content in Canada: Meta, previously known as Facebook, has started blocking news content on its platforms in Canada rather than complying with the country’s new law requiring payment for news.

A.I. vs. Breast Cancer

A groundbreaking study has demonstrated the utility of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in detecting breast cancer. Conducted as the first randomized, controlled trial of its kind, the research revealed that A.I.-supported screening could lead to better detection rates and significantly reduce radiologists’ workloads. While further evaluation is necessary before implementing A.I. in clinical settings, this technology holds promise in improving the efficiency and accuracy of breast cancer screening, ultimately benefiting patients.

Lead author Kristina Lång from Lund University expresses the potential impact of A.I.-supported screening, stating that while at least one radiologist is still required for the detection process, it could eliminate the need for double reading in the majority of mammograms. This change would alleviate workloads, allowing radiologists to focus on advanced diagnostics and minimizing waiting times for patients.

In conclusion, Worldcoin’s grand scheme faces challenges on various fronts, including data protection, regulatory compliance, and government acceptance. While the concept of AI-based identification and the potential for a universal basic income are intriguing, practical and political considerations may hinder Worldcoin’s widespread adoption. As the company navigates these hurdles, the world watches with anticipation to see if its vision becomes a reality.