Sam Altman’s Bold Move: Merge Labs Takes Aim at Neuralink

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is taking the brain–computer interface (BCI) race to the next level. He’s teaming up with Alex Blania to launch Merge Labs, a new startup aiming to rival Elon Musk’s Neuralink. Backed primarily by OpenAI’s venture arm, the fledgling venture is pitching a valuation of around $850 million, with plans to raise approximately $250 million in early funding  .

Human–Machine Fusion

The name Merge Labs reflects Altman’s long-standing vision—what he described in a 2017 blog post as “the Merge,” the moment when humans and machines become intertwined  . Now, advances in AI and electronics are making this vision feel more within reach. Merge Labs plans to leverage cutting-edge AI to build next-generation brain-computer interfaces that deliver higher bandwidth and more seamless integration than ever before  .

​Tech Rivalry Revived

This initiative intensifies a high-stakes rivalry brewing between Altman and Musk. Once partners at OpenAI, Musk exited in 2018 amid strategic disagreements; since then, their competition has only escalated  . Neuralink, already valued at around $9 billion, recently raised $650 million and is leading the field with clinical human trials underway.

With Merge Labs entering the arena, the competition in BCI tech has just charged up. Neuralink will no longer have the playground to itself—and the stakes haven’t been higher.