OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has made headlines again, this time with the launch of Operator, the company's first AI agent capable of acting autonomously on the web. However, Altman's other venture, World, a web3 project, is also gaining attention for its ambitious goal of creating digital "proof of human" tools to verify AI agents on the internet.

World, formerly known as Worldcoin, aims to address the growing concern of distinguishing humans from AI agents online. The project's solution involves scanning users' eyeballs with a silver metal orb, which then generates a unique identifier on the blockchain to verify their humanity. This technology could have far-reaching implications, as it could be used to link certain AI agents to people's online personas, allowing other users to verify that an agent is acting on a person's behalf.

According to Tiago Sada, World's chief product officer, verifying AI agents is a critical next step for the project. Sada envisions a future where users can delegate their "proof of personhood" to an AI agent, allowing it to act on their behalf. This could revolutionize how we interact with online services, as businesses may reconsider their permissions to let certain AI agents use their platforms.

The potential benefits of this technology are significant. For instance, a delivery app's sales could increase if AI agents are allowed to facilitate transactions on behalf of users. OpenAI's recent collaborations with Uber, Instacart, and DoorDash to allow its Operator agent to use their platforms are a testament to this shift. Online businesses are preparing for a future where AI agents will play a larger role in user interactions.

However, there are also concerns about the risks of letting AI agents access online services. Allowing every AI agent or bot on the internet could open websites up to DDOS attacks, scams, or other malicious activities. World's solution is to limit the number of AI agents per person, enabling businesses to access new users through these agents while maintaining the integrity of their sites.

Altman's various ventures, including OpenAI, World, Helion Energy, and Retro Biosciences, may seem unrelated at first glance. However, they collectively form a network of tools that could power a future with AI at its center. The potential integration of World's tools with OpenAI's technology could have significant implications for the development of AI agents and their role in our online lives.

As the tech world continues to grapple with the implications of AI agents on the web, World's innovative approach to verifying these agents could play a critical role in shaping the future of online interactions. With platforms lining up to let OpenAI's agents use their services, World may emerge as a key player in ensuring the integrity and security of these interactions.