Alex Blania on Proof of Human and Building World's Identity Network

The podcast explores the challenges of proving human identity online in the age of increasingly sophisticated AI. Alex Blania, co-founder and CEO of World, discusses how traditional methods like web of trust and government IDs are insufficient due to AI's ability to mimic human online behavior and the global nature of the internet. Blania details World’s approach using iris scans via a custom device called an Orb, emphasizing the importance of uniqueness and privacy through multi-party computation and zero-knowledge proofs. The conversation highlights use cases such as dating apps, video conferencing, and gaming, where verifying human identity is crucial. Ben Horowitz weighs in on the broader implications, including the potential for AI-driven fraud in government programs and the need for cryptographically strong identification systems to preserve democracy.