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OpenAI CEO Promotes Worldcoin Crypto Project After Fundraising Report | Technology news
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has doubled down on his vision for cryptocurrency project Worldcoin, following reports that the company was seeking $50 million in funding.
Worldcoin says it aims to create a global identity and financial network. More than 2.6 million people have signed up to have their irises scanned by Worldcoin’s “orb” devices in exchange for a digital ID and free cryptocurrency.
Altman appeared during a virtual Q&A hosted by fintech-focused investment bank FT Partners on Thursday, a week after cryptocurrency news site The Block reported that Tools For Humanity, the company behind Worldcoin, was looking to raise $50 million from investors.
According to The Block, the company is raising funds by selling the project’s crypto tokens at a discounted price.
“In a world with a lot of artificial intelligence, knowing who a human being is matters more and more,” Altman said Thursday.
“The belief was and is that as artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly important part of our lives… the ability to identify unique human beings would become increasingly important.”
A spokesperson for Worldcoin did not immediately respond to a request for comment on The Block’s report.
The company had previously raised $115 million in a Series C funding round led by Blockchain Capital, along with cryptocurrency a16z and Bain Capital Crypto.
Various regulators, including the UK and Germany, have said they are reviewing Worldcoin after its launch in July.
First uploaded on: 2023-12-16 12:52 IST