After resigning from X in September, Pickles announced to Reuters on Wednesday that he will take on the role of chief policy officer at Altman's Tools for Humanity, the organization developing technology for World Network, which was formerly known as Worldcoin.
Musk, Pickles' former employer, and Altman, his new supervisor, co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but have since become embroiled in a contentious legal battle.
World Network, which has come under scrutiny for its data collection practices, is intensifying its efforts to scan individuals' irises using its "orb" devices to establish World ID.
This ID will function as a digital passport, verifying that its holder is a genuine human being rather than an AI bot in the online environment.
Pickles informed Reuters that AI is "on the cusp" of surpassing traditional online verification methods, such as Captcha puzzles, to ascertain whether a user is real. He warned that as AI becomes capable of bypassing these safeguards, trust on the internet will further erode.
"It's imminent," Pickles stated. "During my tenure at X and Twitter, one recurring issue was, 'Is this a real account or a bot?'" He continued, "I witnessed daily how this challenge will be pivotal for the future of online interactions."
Over his decade-long career at X, formerly Twitter, Pickles most recently held the position of the company's primary ambassador to global leaders. In this role, he collaborated closely with policymakers and regulators to influence regulatory frameworks, negotiate compliance, and represent the company in international discussions.
He received a promotion at X in July.
However, just a month later, billionaire Musk initiated legal action against OpenAI and Altman, alleging breaches of contract that would prioritize public welfare over profit.
Pickles chose not to comment on the ongoing litigation.
Pickles expressed his optimism regarding the new regulatory framework that is expected to be introduced under the administration of President-elect Donald Trump. He stated that his primary focus is on securing a lobbyist in Washington.