OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is quietly developing brain-computer interface technology to compete with Elon Musk's Neuralink through a startup called Merge Labs. The company has already attracted renowned biomolecular engineering expert Mikhail Shapiro, whose background suggests Altman may focus on non-invasive brain-computer interface technology powered by sound waves.
Unlike Neuralink's radical approach, which requires craniotomy and electrode implantation, Merge Labs' successful non-invasive connection will offer significant advantages in safety and public acceptance. Shapiro's previous breakthroughs in voice-controlled genetic engineering provide technical support for this approach, while the clinical risks and ethical controversies currently facing Neuralink create market opportunities for non-invasive technology. While Merge Labs' specific development details have not been disclosed, the industry generally believes that its goal is to promote the expansion of brain-computer interfaces from medical settings to consumer applications through safer solutions.
This move signals a further escalation in the competition among Silicon Valley tech giants in the field of brain science. Altman's cross-sector strategy has the potential not only to reshape Neuralink's industry dominance but also accelerate the transition of brain-computer interface technology from the lab into everyday life. Balancing technological innovation with ethical boundaries will remain a core question for all players in the future.
