Sam Altman wants to scan your iris again.. Will you let him scan your eye to prove you're not AI?
Technology is advancing so rapidly today that it's sometimes difficult to distinguish between what is human-made and what is machine-made. Without going any further, this problem persists when writing text.
In this context, Sam Altman, one of the biggest names in the tech world, proposes a simple but certainly controversial idea: using iris scanning to prove we're still human. He puts on the table the idea that just by looking into your eyes, you can prove you're not an artificial intelligence.
Altman believes that despite these great and ongoing, almost overwhelming, advances, there is something no machine can replicate: what makes us truly human. For him, this unique "fingerprint" is found in our iris.
This colored part of your eye, like your fingerprint, is completely unique. No one has the same pattern, making it an ideal candidate for identifying each person.
The idea itself isn't as crazy as it sounds, as iris recognition systems are already used in some high-security devices and locations, such as access controls to sensitive areas. The difference is that OpenAI's CEO proposes bringing this technology to a more everyday level.
To be honest, some people wonder whether this is necessary or just another way to make money at the expense of our privacy. Despite the improvements mentioned above, it is inevitable that we ask the following question: Is this method really necessary to confirm our humanity online in a world filled with artificial intelligence? On the one hand, using iris scans has real and logical advantages, such as speed and security, as each one is unique and difficult to forge. On the other hand, there is a risk that it could become yet another tool for exploiting our data.
It's certain that we share a lot of our personal data in our daily lives, almost without realizing it. For example, apps like Zoom have been accused and heavily criticized for collecting user information, including names, email addresses, and data shared during video calls, without our always being aware of it.
ChatGPT also stores information such as email addresses, usernames, and preferences to improve its service. While it's true that all of this is somewhat scannable, it demonstrates that we often give our data to all kinds of apps and services without consideration.
The problem here is that collecting biometric data such as iris scanning requires additional attention and protection due to its unique nature and the potential consequences of misuse. Naturally, this is a topic that will generate a lot of controversy.