OpenAI has made the largest single investment in Merge Labs, the brain‑computer interface startup founded by Sam Altman and other tech leaders. The seed round, valued at $850 million, aims to develop non‑invasive technologies that connect to neurons using molecules and ultrasound. OpenAI’s involvement includes collaborating on scientific foundation models and AI tools to accelerate research. The move positions Merge Labs alongside other high‑profile BCI efforts such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink, while highlighting OpenAI’s strategy of investing in frontier technologies that could expand human interaction with artificial intelligence. Leer más →

OpenAI announced a strategic investment in Merge Labs, a neurotechnology startup co‑founded by Sam Altman. The company aims to develop non‑invasive brain‑computer interfaces that use ultrasound to read and modulate neural activity. Backed by OpenAI and other investors, Merge Labs plans to combine AI, ultrasound technology, and novel molecular approaches to create accessible, high‑bandwidth interfaces without implanting hardware into brain tissue. The partnership signals OpenAI’s expanding focus on frontier hardware and AI tools that could accelerate progress in brain‑machine communication. Leer más →

The Cleveland Clinic is collaborating with San Francisco‑based startup Piramidal to develop an artificial‑intelligence model that continuously analyzes electroencephalogram (EEG) data from intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Built on a foundation model trained with nearly a million hours of EEG recordings, the system aims to flag neurological abnormalities in seconds, giving clinicians real‑time insight into brain health. After retrospective fine‑tuning, the partnership plans a controlled live‑patient trial within the next six to eight months, followed by a gradual rollout across ICU beds. The initiative also raises ethical questions about brain data use and storage. Leer más →