OpenAI has made a bold move by investing in Merge Labs, the brain-computer interface (BCI) startup founded by its own CEO, Sam Altman. Emerging from stealth, Merge Labs is dedicated to “bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability.” Sources confirmed that OpenAI contributed the largest single investment in Merge Labs’ $250 million seed round, which values the company at $850 million. The partnership signals a major push toward merging human biology with AI technology.
Merge Labs’ mission is ambitious: to connect with neurons using noninvasive methods such as molecules and ultrasound, avoiding traditional electrodes. The startup believes this approach could restore lost abilities, enhance mental health, and unlock new creative and cognitive capacities. Altman’s vision extends beyond medical applications, aiming to achieve what Silicon Valley often dreams of—superhuman capabilities through the fusion of AI and the human mind.
The startup positions itself as a rival to Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which uses invasive surgery to implant electrode chips in the brain. While Neuralink focuses on helping paralyzed patients control devices, Merge Labs hopes to achieve similar outcomes without surgery, prioritizing safety and scalability. OpenAI says BCIs will open “new ways to communicate, learn, and interact with technology” and sees Merge Labs as a natural extension of its AI ecosystem.
Merge Labs’ leadership includes Altman, Alex Blania, Sandro Herbig, Tyson Aflalo, Sumner Norman, and Caltech researcher Mikhail Shapiro. Most co-founders will continue roles at their existing companies, maintaining collaboration while advancing Merge Labs’ ambitious agenda. OpenAI will also collaborate with Merge Labs on AI-powered scientific models to accelerate research in neuroscience, bioengineering, and device engineering, effectively combining AI’s computational power with human cognitive potential.
The investment deepens the “circular” relationship between Altman and OpenAI: if Merge Labs succeeds, it could drive more AI users to OpenAI platforms, justifying the initial investment. For Altman, the vision of a “merge”—humans and AI working in tandem—has been a long-term goal since 2017, seen as a potential path for humanity to coexist with superintelligent AI. As Merge Labs moves forward, it may redefine not just how we interact with machines, but what it means to be human.
source: Techcrunch