OpenAI invests in Sam Altman's brain-computer startup merge labs in a secret seed round.
In a recent development, OpenAI has invested in Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface (BCI) startup founded by its CEO, Sam Altman. The startup was being developed under the radar and raised an undisclosed seed round recently. Sources confirmed earlier that the funding totals $250 million at an $850 million valuation.
The company describes itself as a “research lab” focused on bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability.
Merge Labs’ Unique Approach to Brain Interfaces
Unlike many existing BCI projects, Merge Labs says it is pursuing a non-invasive path.
Instead of implanting electrodes into the brain, the startup is developing technologies that connect with neurons using molecules, while transmitting and receiving information through deep-reaching modalities such as ultrasound.
“Our individual experience of the world arises from billions of active neurons,” the company said. “If we can interface with these neurons at scale, we could restore lost abilities, support healthier brain states, deepen our connection with each other, and expand what we can imagine and create alongside advanced AI.”
The company says future BCIs should combine biology, hardware, and AI in a form factor that is safe, accessible, and designed for everyday use.
Why OpenAI is Backing the Project
OpenAI framed its participation as a strategic move into what it sees as the next interface layer for artificial intelligence.
“Brain computer interfaces are an important new frontier,” the company wrote in a blog post. “They open new ways to communicate, learn, and interact with technology.”
As part of the deal, OpenAI will collaborate with Merge Labs on scientific foundation models and other frontier tools to accelerate research. This might be the next big thing in bioengineering, neuroscience, and device engineering.
OpenAI also highlighted the role of AI operating systems that can interpret intent, adapt to individuals, and function reliably with limited and noisy neural signals.
This investment creates a fascinating circular dynamic. If Merge Labs succeeds, it could drive more users to OpenAI's platform. It also deepens the strategic rivalry in the BCI space.
Is This the Future of Human–AI Interaction?
For years, Sam Altman has argued that the long-term future of technology lies in closer integration between humans and machines. With Merge Labs, that idea is now moving from theory to execution.
For OpenAI, the investment reflects a broader strategic shift from developing powerful models to shaping how people actually access and use them. If brain-computer interfaces become a practical interface layer, they could redefine everything around us.
Only time will reveal whether Merge Labs can turn its ambitious vision into real-world products. Backed by major funding and OpenAI’s support, the project points to a broader shift. The future of human–AI interaction may extend beyond software labs. It may emerge where neuroscience, biology, and artificial intelligence converge. We just have to wait and see.
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