OpenAI is reportedly negotiating a significant investment in Merge Labs, a new venture focused on connecting human brains with computers. The initiative aims to raise $250 million at an impressive $850 million valuation, with OpenAI’s venture team likely to be a major contributor. Although OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will help co-found the venture, he won’t be directly involved in its daily operations.
Merge Labs is poised to compete with Elon Musk’s Neuralink, which has made strides in developing brain-computer interfaces, including aiding those with severe paralysis. Earlier this year, Neuralink raised $650 million and reported progress in enabling users to control devices with their thoughts. In a similar vein, Tether recently invested in Blackrock Neurotech to enhance brain-computer interface technology, aiming to explore applications like robotic control and cognitive enhancement. Both ventures signify a growing interest in technologies that merge human cognition with advanced computing.
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