As AI technology advances, the ability to impersonate humans online has become increasingly sophisticated, prompting a call for "personhood credentials" to verify human identity on the internet. Researchers from institutions including OpenAI, Harvard University, and Microsoft have proposed these credentials as a solution to combat online deception and fraud.

Personhood credentials would serve as proof of humanity, distinguishing real users from AI bots. These credentials could take various forms, such as cryptographic certificates, biometric data, or blockchain-based tokens. The goal is to enhance online security by reducing misinformation, fraud, and automated interference, while improving the quality of AI models by filtering out bot-generated data.

Possible issuers of these credentials include government agencies, banks, universities, or tech companies like Apple and Google. The challenge lies in balancing privacy with effective verification, as well as implementing a universal standard for global use.

Despite the promise of improved online integrity, critics, such as Jacob Hoffman-Andrews from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, argue that such credentials could lead to privacy infringements and governmental overreach. They advocate for alternative solutions to AI misinformation.

While the technology for personhood credentials is largely in place, experts estimate a timeline of two to ten years before widespread adoption. Initial use may be seen in sectors requiring stringent identity verification, such as finance and healthcare. As the internet continues to evolve, these credentials could become as common as two-factor authentication, shaping the future of digital interactions.