Sam Altman Reportedly Launching Brain-to-Computer Startup Merge Labs, Eyeing $850M Valuation

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is reportedly in the early stages of co-founding a brain-to-computer interface startup called Merge Labs. According to unnamed sources cited by the Financial Times, the company is seeking funding that could largely come from OpenAI’s ventures team, though no firm commitments have been made.

The potential valuation for Merge Labs is already being pegged at $850 million.

Collaboration With Alex Blania

Altman is said to be working with Alex Blania, the head of Tools for Humanity — formerly known as World — a project known for its eye-scanning digital ID technology. This system, which Blania’s company describes as a way to “verify your humanness,” has sparked both fascination and debate in tech circles.

The pairing of Altman’s AI influence and Blania’s digital identity expertise hints at an ambitious mission for Merge Labs: merging human capabilities more deeply with advanced computing.

A Direct Challenger to Neuralink

If Merge Labs moves forward, it will inevitably be compared to Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which has been developing brain-implant technology since 2016. Neuralink aims to enable people with severe paralysis to control devices directly with their thoughts, a goal that has moved from theory to human trials in recent months.

Neuralink raised $600 million in a Series E round in June 2024, reaching a $9 billion valuation. The company has already demonstrated significant progress, including implanting chips into human brains to restore motor control functions.

Merge Labs, like Neuralink, could eventually aim for a similar impact — potentially reshaping how humans interact with technology and pushing society closer to the concept of “the singularity.”

Revisiting “The Merge”

The idea of merging humans with technology isn’t new for Altman. In 2017, he wrote a blog post titled “The Merge”, where he predicted that humanity would be the first species to “design our own descendants.” He noted that early signs of this merge were already underway, citing research at OpenAI — back when Musk was still a co-founder.

In Silicon Valley, “the singularity” often refers to the point when artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence. But its more traditional meaning — popularized decades ago — is the blending of humans and machines into a single, enhanced entity.

Musk vs. Altman: A Tech Rivalry Continues

Altman and Musk’s paths have diverged sharply since Musk’s departure from OpenAI in 2018. The two have publicly clashed in recent years, with their latest spat playing out on X (formerly Twitter) just this week. Altman accused Musk of manipulating the platform, while Musk fired back by calling Altman a liar.

Given their history, some see Merge Labs as more than just a new tech venture — it could be a direct challenge to Musk’s work on Neuralink, ensuring Altman has a seat at the table in one of the most high-stakes races in technology.

Waiting for the Official Launch

As of now, OpenAI has declined to comment on the reports surrounding Merge Labs. Without a formal announcement, much about the startup — from its precise mission to its development timeline — remains unknown.

However, one thing seems clear: if the project goes ahead, it will be tackling one of the boldest and most controversial frontiers in modern technology — linking the human brain directly to computers. And in that race toward the singularity, Altman appears determined not to let Musk run unopposed.