Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has announced the launch of his new brain-computer interface startup, Merge Labs, which is being spun out from the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Forest Neurotech. The startup will concentrate on utilizing ultrasound technology to interpret brain activity, a significant step in the evolving field of neuroscience.
Alongside Altman, cofounders of Merge Labs include Sumner Norman, the CEO of Forest Neurotech, and Tyson Aflalo, the chief scientific officer. This marks the first public connection between Merge Labs and Forest Neurotech, despite previous reports on the startup’s existence. According to the Financial Times, Alex Blania, CEO of World—a digital identity company backed by Altman—also joins as a cofounder. Earlier this year, the same publication reported that Merge Labs was seeking to raise funds at a valuation of approximately $850 million.
Innovative Approach to Brain-Computer Interfaces
The name Merge Labs is inspired by the Silicon Valley concept of “the merge,” suggesting a future where humans and machines integrate seamlessly. Altman discussed this concept in a blog post from 2017, predicting that such a merger could occur as early as 2025.
Forest Neurotech, established in 2023 through the philanthropic incubator Convergent Research, has been developing a unique ultrasound-based brain-computer interface for several years. Convergent Research is financially supported by notable figures including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin. Both Forest and Convergent declined to comment on the recent developments.
Researcher Mikhail Shapiro from Caltech has been reported to advise Merge Labs. Shapiro and Norman have collaborated closely, with Norman earning his PhD in neural engineering from Caltech. Aflalo has previously served as the executive director at Caltech’s T&C Chen Brain-Machine Interface Center.
Merge Labs aims to position itself alongside established players such as Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, and a growing number of startups in the brain-computer interface market. These devices translate brain data into actionable outputs. While academic researchers have been exploring this technology for decades, recent advancements in artificial intelligence and hardware have made brain-computer interfaces more commercially viable.
Potential Benefits and Future Directions
According to earlier reports from the Financial Times, Merge Labs is pursuing a funding goal of $250 million. Although Altman is a cofounder, he is not expected to invest personally in the venture, having previously supported Musk’s Neuralink.
The methodology employed by Forest Neurotech could indicate the path Merge Labs will follow. Unlike Neuralink, which directly measures electrical activity from neurons, Forest’s device interprets brain activity through ultrasound, detecting variations in blood flow. Areas of the brain with higher activity receive increased blood flow, making this approach distinctive.
The device has been miniaturized from conventional ultrasound technology and is designed to deliver stimulation with targeted sound waves. Forest Neurotech is exploring applications of its technology for treating mental health disorders and brain injuries. Currently, the device is undergoing early safety trials in the UK, backed by the country’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency.
One of the advantages of an ultrasound-based interface may be its potential for whole-brain access. Unlike Neuralink’s implants, which gather data from specific brain regions, an ultrasound device could potentially interface with the entire brain. This capability could lead to more tailored neurological treatments and advanced assistive technologies. While such a device would likely require a “window” in the skull for access, it would not necessitate direct implantation within the brain.
Reports in August indicated that Merge Labs is considering integrating an ultrasound device with gene therapy, aiming to enhance the responsiveness of particular brain cells to sound waves. This innovative combination could further expand the possibilities for brain-computer interfaces and their applications in various medical fields.
As Merge Labs progresses, its developments in brain-computer interfaces could play a pivotal role in the future of neuroscience, potentially transforming how humans interact with technology.
