Tools for Humanity Acquires Modulus Labs to Boost Zero-Knowledge AI and Cryptography Research

Tools for Humanity (TFH), a key contributor to the World Network digital identity platform, announced today that Modulus Labs is joining the company to form a dedicated Applied Research team focusing on cryptographic and machine learning solutions. The collaboration, which began in spring 2023, has centered on developing zero-knowledge (ZK) prover solutions for machine learning applications.

The integration aims to transform millions of mobile devices into trusted environments for computation authentication while maintaining privacy and anonymity. It builds upon TFH’s existing infrastructure, which includes the World ID system and its signature Orb biometric verification technology. Modulus Labs has already contributed several key technologies, including a zero-knowledge data commitment scheme deployed across thousands of Orbs for private custody of human verification data, and a security library for World App that generates verifiable AI authentications.

Founded in 2022 by Stanford graduates Daniel Shorr and Ryan Cao, Modulus Labs achieved several notable technological milestones, including creating the first verifiable AI projects and proving a multi-billion parameter Large Language Model (LLM) in zero knowledge. The company developed mobile features for generating secret shares of signatures to support World’s AMPC protocol, which enhances the security of the World ID digital identity system.

Seven team members from Modulus Labs will join TFH, including founders Shorr and Cao, along with Giorgos Zirdelis, Ben Wilson, Vishruti Ganesh, Ende Shen, and Makis Arsenis. This integration is in line with TFH’s vision to expand its capabilities in cryptography and machine learning to enhance the World Network, which serves as an identity and financial network currently operating in multiple countries, including a recent expansion into Panama.

“As part of Tools for Humanity, we’ll turn bleeding-edge cryptography into products that preserve user data privacy and individual anonymity for millions,” said Daniel Shorr, Modulus Labs’ co-founder. “This makes the magic of the digital world safer and more accessible at an unprecedented scale.”

The merger represents TFH’s continued focus on developing practical, scalable, and secure decentralized applications. The company’s World Network has established itself as a significant platform for identity verification and financial services, incorporating advanced cryptographic solutions for privacy preservation.

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December 12, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy