World moves further into Asia with new Thailand manager on heels of US launch | Biometric Update
Summary
It has followed its recent U.S. launch by announcing partnerships with Visa and Match Group, and is forging ahead with activations of its Orb iris scanner at retail outlets across the country.The Nation reports that, in Thailand, World has appointed Pakapol Thangtongchin as Country Manager. Thangtongchin has held senior roles at Amazon, Bain & Company and Central Group.A report in Inquirer.net looks at Worlds continued rollout in the Philippines, with verification hubs have been set up in Bulacan, San Juan, Quezon City and Mandaluyong. Thats what World ID is basic infrastructure for digital life.Crucially, in Kierans metaphor, the car represents AI, the algorithmic technology that has gained widespread popularity through OpenAIs ChatGPT large language model (LLM). What if you could use WhatsApp without spammy messages, or use Tinder knowing the person youre talking to isnt trying to catfish you?Orb looks sinister because no one writes about boringThe argument is predicated on the idea that every attack surface is under bombardment from synthetic media and AI bots (many of which likely originate with ChatGPT). Witness a recent blog: experts warn that in just a few years it will be impossible to know if someone is communicating with another mortal or a neural network.It points to the sensationalism at the heart of Worlds campaign: a transformed internet under siege by AI, big livestreamed announcement events, messianic branding, and a biometric capture device that evokes an evil robotic eye out of vintage science fiction.Of the notorious Orb, Kieran says, we could have made it boring, but no one writes about boring.Interestingly, its U.S. storefronts are rather dull, or minimalist, according to a recent article in Wired looking at its San Francisco digs.Worlds next generation device, a Mini Orb, resembles a smartphone, which is significantly more boring and that could end up being a good thing for World.Toning down rhetoric could help firm be more likableThe firm stands on its altruistic mission; Kieran says your data shouldnt be free for anyone to exploit.