Tools for Humanity’s Unique Approach

So, if you’ve been following along, you might wonder about the peculiarities surrounding OpenAI and its founder, Sam Altman. Really, it’s a wild ride, especially considering his blockchain ventures.

There’s a startup called “Tools for Humanity” that claims to be focused on global tech advancements through open-source blockchain solutions. Their main project? Something they call the Orb, which is essentially a spherical scanner intended to help with “verification of humanity,” leveraging a cryptographic platform known as Worldcoin.

But here’s where it gets interesting. The team working on this project is reported to have a rather intense work culture. According to reports, “fanatical dedication” is a key expectation, with staff often encouraged to work through weekends—ostensibly for the greater good.

CEO Alex Branier, in a meeting with the team, emphasized their ambition. He stated, “We’re not going to fail, we’re not going to be average. That’s what we want, and that should be your focus every single day.” That’s a strong message, right? Imagine the pressure to align with that mindset!

In a video from earlier this year, which showcased the company’s values, there was mention of working “very (very) hard.” The message was clear: they believe this project is crucial for humanity, and that’s why the team commits to weekend work and constant readiness to tackle challenges head-on.

Branier made it clear at another gathering that their primary focus is on achieving the establishment of a global digital identity system. Interestingly, he noted, “We don’t care about politics… We just care about how to accomplish our mission through achievement and excellence.” It’s a rather straightforward approach, but it does raise some eyebrows.

Right now, the Orb is facing some hurdles in gaining traction. Altman and his team had set ambitious goals, aiming for 2 billion subscribers by November 2025, but as of now, they’re sitting at around 17.5 million—less than 1% of that target.

Given this context, the company’s lofty “humanitarian mission” starts to look somewhat questionable. It could be seen as a way to rationalize intense demands on workers. With the expectation of weekend work and being on-call, many employees find themselves doing significant unpaid labor—all while the startup grapples with challenges in making even its basic product a success.

The idea may sound outlandish—a surveillance sphere linked to a blockchain—but the conditions surrounding its development raise some serious concerns.