Sam Altman’s New Social Network: World Gains Popularity
Sam Altman, widely recognized as the CEO of OpenAI, has been quietly developing a social networking platform called World. This new app is already making waves, with close to 25 million users across more than 100 countries, including the United States.
October saw the launch of World 3.0, a version of the app branded as a "Super App." This platform draws comparisons to popular applications like China’s WeChat and Latin America’s Rappi. It features an innovative version of an app store, referred to as Mini Apps, which are designed for everyday use. Developers can create these Mini Apps to work within World, linking them to a user’s World ID, digital wallet, and contacts.
On April 1, World will kick off a "Developer Rewards" pilot program, aimed at supporting app creators. This initiative will distribute $300,000 worth of WLD tokens, World’s digital currency, to qualifying developers over a three-month period.
This new program follows the "World Build" incubator initiative launched in January, aimed at fostering development within the app. Partnering with creative platforms and crypto-focused investment groups, the program will include hackathons and culminate in a demo day in New York.
One success story from this initiative is Diego Estevez, a 24-year-old developer from Argentina who created a Mini App called Credit. This app provides users with small loans without needing credit scores, collateral, or income verification, starting at just $5 and capping at $100. Estevez explained that users can apply for larger loans as they repay their initial ones, maintaining a structured approach to borrowing.
Since its launch, the Credit app has attracted nearly 100,000 downloads, and about 15,000 loans have been issued. Estevez believes most users access this service for essential needs like groceries and transportation, with many relying on the app for their daily expenses.
The success of Credit sheds light on the financial challenges many in developing countries face, where access to credit is limited despite having internet and mobile phone capabilities. It underscores the potential for apps designed to address real human needs rather than merely profit-driven models like traditional app stores.
World aims to expand its community through initiatives like the Mini Apps, creating a positive feedback loop that encourages more users to join. Tiago Sada, the chief product officer at Tools for Humanity, the company behind World’s technology, mentioned that they are targeting 1 billion users, with a long-term vision of reaching 10 billion. While not everyone may join World, Sada insists the goal is to provide everyone with a chance to register.
However, World has faced challenges, including regulatory disputes in countries such as Kenya, Spain, and South Korea regarding its use of biometric data. Critics have also raised concerns about the app attracting users in developing nations with the promise of grants in WLD tokens.
In an email response, a World representative noted that the technology behind World has helped nearly 12 million individuals securely prove their identity online, enabling them to engage in the digital economy. Sada recognizes the uphill battle for change, especially regarding government regulations but remains set on overcoming these challenges.
Describing World as a "freedom stack," Sada highlighted its anonymous and self-custodial features, emphasizing the desire for a world where individuals feel freer than today.
