Merge Labs, Led by Sam Altman, to Compete with Elon Musk’s Neuralink

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI and the creator of ChatGPT, is preparing to challenge Elon Musk’s Neuralink with a new company. This venture, Merge Labs, aims to enter the brain-to-computer interface field. The startup is valued at around $850 million, translating to about 7,434 crore. Funding is primarily expected from OpenAI’s ventures branch, though the decision is not yet finalized. Alex Blania, known for leading Tools for Humanity, may also be contributing to the project. Tools for Humanity is known for its eye-scanning technology, used to verify human identity. They are also associated with a biometric ID project, which includes installing eye-scanning devices in public locations in the US and UK. Neuralink, which started in 2016, develops chips that are implanted in the brain. These chips are designed to allow paralyzed individuals to control technology with their thoughts. Neuralink is currently undergoing human trials and successfully raised $600 million earlier this year, with a valuation of $9 billion. Both Merge Labs and Neuralink are aiming to transform how humans interact with machines through technological advancements.