Sam Altman launches Merge Labs to challenge Neuralink with non-invasive brain tech

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is developing a brain-computer interface through a new startup called Merge Labs, partnering with biomolecular engineer Mikhail Shapiro to create the technology. This venture positions OpenAI as a direct competitor to Elon Musk’s Neuralink, potentially offering a safer, non-invasive alternative that could unlock the brain-computer interface market without requiring risky surgical implants.

What you should know: Altman’s brain-computer interface project represents a significant expansion beyond ChatGPT into the emerging field of neural technology.

• The startup, called Merge Labs, will be led by Mikhail Shapiro, a biomolecular engineer known for his expertise in using sound waves and magnetic fields to interact with biological systems.
• Unlike existing approaches, this device would likely use non-invasive sound waves to link humans to computers, avoiding the need for surgical implants.
• The project connects to OpenAI’s broader hardware ambitions, including their current development of wearable devices.

How Neuralink currently works: Musk’s company requires invasive surgical procedures that pose significant safety risks.

• Neuralink implants a coin-sized chip with ultra-thin threads directly into the skull, detecting electrical signals from neurons and transmitting them via Bluetooth.
• The technology has shown promising results, including enabling paralyzed patient Noland Arbaugh to play chess using brain signals for the first time in eight years.
• However, the company has faced scrutiny over safety concerns, including the death of a monkey during clinical trials and potential misleading claims to investors about product safety.

Why this matters: A successful non-invasive brain-computer interface could revolutionize a market that has been limited by safety concerns and surgical requirements.

• Current external devices placed on the head can’t read brain signals as accurately as implanted ones, creating a significant technical challenge.
• If Altman’s team can create an effective external device, they could dominate a market that has been “stuck for a long time” due to the risks associated with invasive procedures.
• The technology could integrate with OpenAI’s planned wearable devices, creating a comprehensive ecosystem of AI-powered hardware.

The competitive landscape: OpenAI’s entry intensifies the race to develop practical brain-computer interfaces.

• While Neuralink has gained the most attention, it faces ongoing regulatory and safety challenges that could limit widespread adoption.
• A non-invasive approach could appeal to a much broader user base, avoiding the significant medical risks of open-skull surgery.
• The involvement of Shapiro, with his background in sound waves and magnetic fields, suggests a fundamentally different technological approach than current market leaders.