Sam Altman and OpenAI reportedly support a startup developing brain–computer interface tech to rival Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
Sam Altman is co-founding a new brain-to-computer interface startup called Merge Labs and soliciting funds. The capital for the startup is expected to be primarily provided by OpenAI’s ventures team, according to unnamed sources at the Financial Times.
It is anticipated that the venture will be valued at $850 million. According to a source acquainted with the agreement, the negotiations are still in the preliminary stages, and OpenAI has not yet expressed a commitment to participating. Consequently, the provisions of the contract may be subject to modification.
Alex Blania, who oversees Tools for Humanity (formerly World), Altman’s digital ID initiative that “enables anyone to confirm their humanity,” is also purportedly collaborating with Merge Labs, according to the company.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which develops computer interface devices for brain implantation, will compete with Merge Labs. Neuralink was established by Musk in 2016 (although its existence was not disclosed until 2017), and the organization has made substantial strides.
Neuralink is currently conducting clinical trials with individuals who experience severe paralysis. It is designed to enable them to operate devices using their thoughts. The $600 million Series E was raised at a $9 billion valuation in June.
Neuralink (and Merge Labs) could transform how humans interact with technology. Some may even assert that their technology has the potential to propel humanity toward “the singularity.”
Silicon Valley was captivated by “the singularity” for an extended period before it was obsessed with the concept of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Musk has employed the term to denote a period in which artificial intelligence surpasses human intelligence.
The more traditional definition, which is derived from a 1960s novella by Dino Buzzati, refers to the integration of technology and humanity.
In 2017, Altman maintained a blog regarding “The Merge.” “Even though the merger has already commenced, it is expected to become significantly more peculiar.” At that time, Musk proposed that we would be the first species to design our descendants, based on research he observed at OpenAI, where he was a co-founder.
In 2018, Musk transitioned from OpenAI, and the partnership between the two technology pioneers has since dissolved. Altman and Musk were embroiled in a dispute regarding X earlier this week. Altman accused Musk of manipulating X, while Musk referred to Altman as a fraud.
It will be necessary to await the formal announcement of Merge Labs. However, it is logical to assume that Altman would not permit Musk to work on a project as significant as the singularity in the absence of a challenger.
OpenAI declined to respond.