Sam Altman’s Latest Venture: A Brain-Computer Interface Startup
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is expanding his portfolio of startups with the launch of Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface (BCI) company that aims to revolutionize the way humans interact with technology. This move marks a significant development in the BCI space, which has been gaining traction in recent years. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global BCI market is expected to reach $1.72 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 24.4% during the forecast period.
Altman, who has been a proponent of merging humans and machines, has written extensively on the topic. In a 2017 blog post, he discussed the concept of “the merge,” which refers to the integration of human and artificial intelligence. He believes that this convergence has already begun and will have a profound impact on society. As he noted, “I believe the merge has already started, and we are a few years in.” Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
How Merge Labs Plans to Disrupt the BCI Space
Merge Labs, which has raised $252 million in seed funding, plans to develop BCIs that can interact with the brain at high bandwidth, integrate with advanced AI, and are safe and accessible for anyone to use. The company’s approach differs from that of its competitors, such as Neuralink, which uses invasive surgery to implant electrodes in the brain. Merge Labs, on the other hand, aims to achieve BCI without invasive surgery, using molecules instead of electrodes and deep-reaching modalities like ultrasound. As the company noted in a blog post, “Recent breakthroughs in biotechnology, hardware, neuroscience, and computing made by our team and others convince us that this is possible.”
The BCI space is becoming increasingly crowded, with companies like Synchron and Neuralink already making significant strides. Synchron, which has partnered with Nvidia, has raised $200 million at a nearly $1 billion valuation, while Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, is valued at $9 billion following a $650 million funding round. However, Merge Labs’ non-invasive approach and focus on integrating BCIs with AI may give it a competitive edge. As Forbes noted, “Altman’s experience and expertise in the AI space could be a major advantage for Merge Labs.”
OpenAI, which is backing Merge Labs, will also collaborate with the company on projects such as scientific foundation models. This partnership highlights the potential for BCIs to revolutionize the way we interact with technology and each other. As OpenAI noted, “We are excited to support and collaborate with Merge Labs as they turn an ambitious idea into reality and ultimately products that are useful for people.”
Image Source: observer.com
