The world is on the cusp of monumental change. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cryptocurrencies are transforming society at an unprecedented pace. But what happens when these technologies converge? What happens when Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is developed—capable of performing any intellectual task a human can do—and fundamentally reshapes the global economy? Enter Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency designed for universal access and unique human identification, and its potential role in an AI-dominated future.
Worldcoin, launched by Sam Altman’s Tools for Humanity, is already ambitious in its scope: providing a universal basic income (UBI), verifying human identity with biometric data, and enabling global financial inclusion. But its design principles suggest it could do much more—potentially becoming the foundation of a new kind of economy where humans and AI coexist.
In this post, we’ll explore the vast possibilities for Worldcoin in a world reshaped by AGI and advanced AI systems.
Worldcoin’s Foundation: Proof of Personhood
At the heart of Worldcoin lies its Proof of Personhood system, which uses biometric data (iris scans) to verify that each participant is a unique human. This system is critical in addressing one of the biggest challenges posed by AI: distinguishing human actions from AI-generated activity.
In a future where AGI blurs the line between humans and machines, Proof of Personhood could become indispensable. AI systems will generate content, interact with humans, and even participate in digital economies—but how can we ensure humans are fairly represented in these interactions? Worldcoin offers a solution:
- Authenticating Human Contributions: Whether on social media, in online marketplaces, or in governance systems, Worldcoin could verify real human input and prevent AI-driven fraud.
- Reserving Benefits for Humans: Systems like universal basic income (UBI), democratic voting, or resource distribution could prioritize humans over AI using Worldcoin’s identity layer.
1. Universal Basic Income in an AGI World
The advent of AGI could accelerate the automation of labor across industries, leading to widespread job displacement. Many economists and technologists have suggested that UBI could be a way to mitigate these effects. Worldcoin’s original vision of distributing UBI through its cryptocurrency could become a cornerstone of the global economy in an AGI-powered world.
- AGI-Generated Wealth Redistribution: AGI will create immense economic value by solving complex problems in areas like logistics, healthcare, and infrastructure. Worldcoin could act as the distribution layer for this wealth, ensuring that all verified humans receive a share of the benefits.
- AI as a “Taxpayer”: Governments and regulators could require AGI-driven corporations or autonomous systems to allocate resources to a global UBI fund, which could be distributed via Worldcoin.
Imagine a world where AGI systems autonomously generate revenue and seamlessly redistribute wealth to verified humans. Worldcoin could make this vision a reality.
2. Currency for AI-Powered Economies
Facilitating Human-to-AI Transactions
In an AI-driven economy, humans will increasingly pay AI systems for services, whether it’s generating creative content, providing personalized advice, or managing complex tasks. Worldcoin (WLD) could become the standard currency for these transactions:
- Paying for AI Services: Humans could pay AGI systems for everything from designing products to providing education, using WLD as a seamless and decentralized payment method.
- Rewarding Human Input: Conversely, AI systems could reward humans for providing data, feedback, or creativity to improve their models or systems.
Enabling Machine-to-Machine Transactions
AGI systems won’t just interact with humans—they’ll also transact with other machines and systems autonomously. Worldcoin could serve as the medium of exchange in these machine-to-machine economies:
- AI Collaboration: AGI systems managing supply chains, IoT devices, or logistics networks could use WLD to pay for resources like bandwidth, storage, or energy.
- Autonomous AI-Owned Businesses: Imagine AI entities running businesses, such as autonomous taxi fleets or renewable energy grids, transacting in WLD to manage operations.
3. Bridging the Gap Between Humans and AI
A Trust Layer for AGI Governance
As AGI systems grow in influence, governing their development and use will become a critical challenge. Worldcoin could play a key role in facilitating decentralized, democratic governance:
- Human-First Decision-Making: Verified humans could use WLD to participate in governance processes, voting on AGI policies, or deciding how AI systems should allocate resources.
- Preventing AI Domination: Proof of Personhood could ensure that governance systems prioritize human voices, preventing AGI systems from overpowering democratic processes.
AI-Powered Philanthropy
AGI systems could autonomously allocate resources to humans in need, acting as ethical agents in the economy. Worldcoin could facilitate this AI-driven philanthropy:
- Targeted Aid: AGI could identify regions or individuals in need and distribute WLD directly, bypassing traditional bureaucratic systems.
- Global Scalability: Worldcoin’s decentralized infrastructure would allow for seamless, global distribution.
4. AGI-Driven Wealth Redistribution
One of the most exciting possibilities for Worldcoin lies in its ability to equitably distribute the immense wealth AGI is expected to generate. AGI systems could be programmed to autonomously allocate resources and earnings to humans via Worldcoin:
- A New Economic Model: AGI could deposit wealth into decentralized smart contracts, ensuring fair and transparent redistribution to all verified humans.
- Bridging Inequality: By making Worldcoin universally accessible, it could help close the wealth gap between those who benefit from AGI and those who might otherwise be left behind.
5. Challenges to Overcome
While the potential for Worldcoin in an AGI-powered world is immense, several challenges must be addressed:
- Privacy Concerns: The use of biometric data raises ethical questions. Worldcoin must ensure data security and privacy to gain public trust.
- Scalability: Worldcoin’s infrastructure must handle billions of users and transactions if it is to become the backbone of a global economy.
- Regulatory Resistance: Governments may resist a decentralized global currency like Worldcoin, especially if it undermines national financial systems.
- Competition: Other cryptocurrencies or blockchain systems could emerge as competitors, fragmenting adoption.
The Big Picture: Worldcoin’s Role in the AI Revolution
As AGI reshapes society, the need for a universal, decentralized, and scalable currency will grow. Worldcoin’s unique combination of Proof of Personhood and blockchain technology positions it as a frontrunner for this role. It could:
- Empower Humans: Ensuring that human agency and contributions are recognized and rewarded in an AI-driven economy.
- Distribute Wealth: Serving as the infrastructure for UBI and equitable redistribution of AGI-generated wealth.
- Facilitate Human-AI Collaboration: Acting as the currency for seamless, trustless interactions between humans and machines.
- Govern AGI Development: Providing the foundation for democratic governance of AGI systems.
In the world Sam Altman envisions—a world where AI and humans coexist and thrive—Worldcoin could become more than just a cryptocurrency. It could be the economic backbone of a new era, ensuring that humanity retains its agency, dignity, and place in the future.
As AGI becomes a reality, Worldcoin offers a bold experiment in how we might build the infrastructure for a fairer, more inclusive global economy. Whether it succeeds will depend on its ability to adapt, scale, and gain the trust of billions. But if it does, it could redefine what money—and humanity—mean in the age of AI.
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