Sam Altman and Elon Musk are racing to build an ‘everything app’

The Verge - May 2nd, 2025

Sam Altman and Elon Musk are not only competing in the AI arena but are also racing to develop a comprehensive super app. Altman, as chairman of Tools for Humanity, is spearheading the Worldcoin project, which facilitates a crypto wallet, social network, and mini-app platform called the World app. With a rapidly growing user base, the app aims to rival Musk's X by incorporating finance and social networking features. Notably, Worldcoin's unique eye-scanning verification system aims to combat bot issues, a prevalent concern on X, and Tools for Humanity plans to expand this by charging developers for World ID verification. A strategic partnership with Visa has also been announced to launch a US debit card, further enhancing Worldcoin's transactional capabilities.

The race to create a super app has significant implications, particularly in how technology giants are shaping the future of digital interaction and finance. Altman's Worldcoin and Musk's X represent a new frontier in combining AI-driven technology with social utilities, posing questions about privacy, digital identity, and market dominance. The involvement of major players like Visa underscores the potential financial impact and mainstream adoption these platforms could achieve. Meanwhile, Meta is also exploring AI-driven social features, highlighting a broader industry trend towards integrating personalized AI experiences in social media. These developments suggest a transformative shift in how users interact with technology, with lasting effects on digital ecosystems worldwide.

Elon Musk Ai Cryptocurrency Sam Altman X Visa Digital Identity Worldcoin Tools For Humanity Super App Bot Verification

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant overview of the ambitions of Sam Altman and Elon Musk to create integrated digital platforms. It effectively highlights the public interest in privacy, data security, and the future of social media. However, the story's accuracy is somewhat limited by the lack of detailed source attribution and verification of specific claims. The narrative is clear and accessible, but it could benefit from more balanced reporting and diverse perspectives to enhance its impact and engagement. Overall, the article serves as a solid introduction to the topic but would be strengthened by deeper analysis and expert insights.

Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of the ambitions of Sam Altman and Elon Musk to create an 'everything app,' integrating various services. It accurately describes Altman's World app as a crypto wallet and social network and mentions the use of biometric verification through iris scanning. However, some claims, such as the user base figures and the specific features of the apps, need further verification. The mention of partnerships with companies like Visa and the planned features for X also require confirmation from primary sources.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the efforts of Sam Altman and Elon Musk, which could suggest a bias towards these figures and their projects. It does not extensively cover the competitive landscape or alternative viewpoints, such as potential criticisms of biometric data use or privacy concerns. While it mentions regulatory scrutiny, it does not provide a balanced view of the potential downsides or challenges faced by the companies involved.

Clarity

The article is generally well-structured and presents information in a logical sequence, making it easy to follow. However, it could benefit from clearer explanations of technical terms and concepts, such as 'everything app' and 'biometric verification.' The tone is neutral, but the narrative jumps between different topics, which may affect comprehension for some readers.

Source quality

The article lacks explicit attribution to primary sources or authoritative figures, which affects its credibility. While it references events and announcements, it does not cite direct quotes from press releases or interviews with key stakeholders. The absence of diverse sources and expert opinions limits the depth and reliability of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides a general overview of the projects and their goals but lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to gather information. It does not disclose potential conflicts of interest or the basis for its claims. The lack of detailed explanations about the sources of its information makes it difficult for readers to assess the impartiality of the reporting.