Merge Labs, Altman’s New Brain‑Tech Startup, and the Brain‑to‑Computer Revolution
In a move that feels straight out of a sci‑fi movie, Sam Altman is on the brink of launching Merge Labs—an ambitious brain‑to‑computer interface venture that could be worth a whopping $850 million. While the capital is rumored to stem mainly from OpenAI’s venture arm, the deal is still in its infancy, and the terms may shift as the project unfolds.
Who’s in the Brain‑Team?
- Sam Altman: the mastermind behind OpenAI, now looking to get your thoughts into the cloud.
- Alex Blania: founder of Tools for Humanity (previously World), the brain behind an eye‑scan ID that lets you prove you’re a real human—no faking from the future!
- OpenAI’s venture folks: possibly funding the whole operation, but still playing their cards close to their chest.
Facing the Goliath: Neuralink
Merge Labs isn’t the only one trying to plug your neurons into a kitchen‑ware‑like interface. Elon Musk’s Neuralink has been at it for years, aiming to help folks with severe paralysis control devices with their thoughts. Musk’s chip has already blown up the market with a $600 million Series E round that put the company at a $9 billion valuation last June.
What if the Brain Tech Boom Happens?
So what’s at stake when brain chips go mainstream? Think “the singularity”—an age where technology waltzes so closely with our minds that who we are might become a blur. Altman and Musk’ve both dreamed of a future where humans and machines don’t just coexist—they’re one awesome organism.
Altman’s “Merge” Nostalgia
Fast‑forward to 2017: Altman blogged about “The Merge” and how it’s already underway. He famously said, “We’re going to get a lot weirder… we’ll design our own descendants.” That’s sort of what the folks at Merge Labs are chasing right now.
Whichever path they chase—whether it’s Musk’s sleek implants or Altman’s ambitious partnership—there’s no doubt this brain‑tech crusade will change how we talk to our laptops and hopefully, maybe, to each other.
Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
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Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.
Late‑Night Showdown: Musk vs. Altman
Picture this: A quiet San Francisco office, the phone’s glow on a laptop, and two tech titans—Elon Musk and Sam Altman—throwing digital punches on X.
What went down
- Altman calls Musk a puppet master for manipulating X.
- Musk labels Altman a straight‑up liar in retaliation.
- Both spill the tea while the crowd watches, hoping for a headline‑making payoff.
The Bigger Picture
Musk left the OpenAI symphony back in 2018, and ever since, the top‑level camaraderie has splintered into silence and occasional quarrels. If the Merge Labs concept ever makes its grand entrance, it’s bound to be a headline over the singularity scene—because nobody wants Musk floating in the void without a challenger to call out.
OpenAI’s Response
OpenAI chose the classic “shut‑it‑down‑that‑comment” route, leaving the world to speculate. The silence only grows the intrigue.