OpenAI Invests in Sam Altman’s Brain Computer Interface Startup Merge Labs

OpenAI has invested in Merge Labs, a new brain computer interface research company cofounded by its chief executive Sam Altman, marking an escalation in efforts to link human cognition directly with artificial intelligence.

BCIs, The Next Frontier?

The investment, confirmed by OpenAI, sees the AI company participate as the largest single backer in Merge Labs’ seed funding round, which raised around $250 million at a reported valuation of approximately $850 million. While OpenAI did not disclose the size of its individual cheque, the company said the move reflects its belief that brain computer interfaces, often shortened to BCIs, represent an important next frontier in how people interact with advanced AI systems.