On October 27, 2025, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, announced the hiring of acclaimed neurological researcher Mikhail Shapiro for his brain-computer interface startup, Merge Labs. This venture aims to create a less invasive alternative to Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain chip for decoding human thoughts. Shapiro, known for his groundbreaking gene therapy techniques, will leverage ultrasound-based methods for developing the first product. He emphasizes the need for less invasive approaches, stating it’s easier to modify cells to respond to sound waves rather than implanting electrodes. Altman, expressing discomfort with Neuralink’s invasive surgical procedures, shared his vision of interfacing with technology using thought alone. Unlike Neuralink’s implant, which aims to enable control over limbs and communication devices through invasive methods, Merge Labs seeks innovative, non-invasive solutions. With Shapiro’s expertise, Merge Labs positions itself at the forefront of brain-computer interface technology, promising groundbreaking advancements in the field.
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