Overview

• Sam Altman and Alex Blania have reportedly formed Merge Labs to develop new brain-computer interface technology.
• The venture is reported to seek $250 million in funding at an $850 million valuation.
• OpenAI Ventures is expected to provide the majority of the round’s capital despite no formal agreement in place.
• Sources say Merge Labs plans to explore less-invasive, AI-driven implants as an alternative to Neuralink’s surgical approach.
• Neuralink, by contrast, raised $650 million in June and is conducting human trials that allow users to control computers with their thoughts.