Sam Altman, co-founder of OpenAI, is co-launching a new venture called Merge Labs—a brain-computer interface (BCI) startup aimed at directly competing with Elon Musk’s Neuralink. The move amps up the intensifying rivalry between the two tech billionaires.
About Merge Labs
- Merge Labs is being formed with a visionary mission: to develop advanced high-bandwidth neural implants for seamless human-computer communication.
- The startup is seeking to raise $250 million in funding, with a valuation estimated at $850 million. Much of the backing is expected to come from OpenAI’s ventures team, while Altman will serve as co-founder—though he will have no daily operational role and will not invest personally.
- Alex Blania, founder and CEO of World (the eyeball-scanning digital ID venture), will collaborate with Altman in launching the company.
Why It Matters
- High-Stakes Rivalry: Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016, has raised around $650 million at a $9 billion valuation and spearheaded the mainstream BCI effort. Merge Labs positions Altman’s team as a serious challenger in the space.
- Emerging BCI Market: The venture illustrates growing interest in “the merge”—Altman’s term for human-machine convergence—and reflects the broader hype and momentum behind AI-enabled neurotechnology.
Strategic Context
- Altman vs Musk: The two co-founded OpenAI but parted ways in 2018 due to diverging visions. Since then, their rivalry has extended from AI into brain tech and even App Store rankings.
- Long-Held Vision: Altman first wrote about the potential of human-AI merging in a 2017 blog, and now he’s making it a reality with Merge Labs
Quotes & Perspective
Altman’s interest in “the merge” envisions a future where humans and machines closely interact, and he sees high-bandwidth BCIs as a pivotal component. Musk’s Neuralink is already working toward that future—but Merge Labs may accelerate or redirect the path forward. Financial Times
