OpenAI, with Sam Altman, is reportedly supporting Merge Labs, a startup developing brain-computer interfaces. This move positions Merge Labs as a direct competitor to Elon Musk's Neuralink. Merge Labs is reportedly aiming to raise $250 million and is currently valued at $850 million. OpenAI's venture arm is expected to contribute significantly to this funding.
Merge Labs, co-founded by Alex Blania, intends to create high-bandwidth brain implants that integrate human cognition with AI. This mirrors Neuralink's objective of connecting human brains with computers. Altman's involvement is expected to be limited, focusing on leveraging AI advancements for more effective brain-computer interfaces. The company's name, Merge Labs, reflects its vision of merging humans and machines.
The move intensifies the rivalry between Altman and Musk, marked by previous public disputes. Neuralink, founded in 2016, has made considerable progress, including trials with individuals experiencing paralysis, and recently raised $600 million in Series E funding, valuing the company at $9 billion.
