Top News

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman now has his sights set on the human brain. He has founded a startup called Merge Labs, which is developing a brain-computer interface (BCI), a computer that can read thoughts in the human brain. This BCI will capture human thoughts using sound waves and magnetic fields. Another special feature is that it will not require any surgery. It's worth noting that Elon Musk's company, Neuralink, is also developing a similar BCI, but it requires surgery to implant it. With this latest move, Altman has once again posed a challenge to Musk.

How will Merge Lab's implant work?

Musk's company, Neuralink, surgically implants electrodes into the brain, but Merge Lab will take a different approach. Altman's startup will connect the human brain to machines using ultrasound and genetic engineering. Altman is assembling a team for this work. This team includes Mikhail Shapiro, a recognized expert in the field of neural imaging and ultrasound-based brain interaction. Shapiro gained notoriety for using ultrasound waves that study and influence human brain activity without surgery.

Altman has criticized surgical implants.

Altman has criticized the surgical method of implanting implants like Neuralink. In August, he stated that he would not implant anything in his brain. He jokingly stated that this would damage his brain's neurons. It is being reported that Merge Lab plans to only read the thoughts going on in the human brain. They do not intend to tamper with them in any way. The company is raising ₹2,195 crore for this purpose. Altman may be appointed as its co-founder.