OpenAI Invests in Merge Labs to Advance Biological Intelligence Interfaces
OpenAI will collaborate with Merge Labs on scientific foundation models and other frontier tools to accelerate the realization of these ambitious goals.
RMN Digital AI Desk
New Delhi | January 16, 2026
SAN FRANCISCO – In a move to redefine the relationship between humans and technology, OpenAI has announced its participation in the seed funding round for Merge Labs, a research startup dedicated to bridging biological and artificial intelligence. The investment underscores a strategic shift toward brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) as the next major frontier in computing.
A New Frontier for Human-AI Interaction
OpenAI’s involvement stems from the belief that progress in computing is driven by the evolution of interfaces. By developing biological interfaces, Merge Labs aims to provide a more direct way for humans to express intent, making technology more powerful and accessible. These BCIs are expected to create a natural, human-centered way for individuals to seamlessly interact with AI systems.
The Mission of Merge Labs
Merge Labs is focused on a long-term mission to maximize human ability, agency, and experience. Unlike traditional approaches, the lab is developing new methods to interface with the brain at a much higher bandwidth by integrating three core pillars: biology, hardware devices, and artificial intelligence.
The role of AI within Merge Labs’ ecosystem is two-fold:
- Accelerated Development: AI will be used to speed up research in bioengineering, neuroscience, and device engineering.
- AI Operating Systems: High-bandwidth biological interfaces will utilize AI operating systems designed to interpret intent, adapt to individual users, and maintain reliability even when dealing with noisy biological signals.
Collaborative Innovation
As part of this partnership, OpenAI will collaborate with Merge Labs on scientific foundation models and other frontier tools to accelerate the realization of these ambitious goals. The effort seeks to turn theoretical research into useful products that enhance human capability.
The founding team of Merge Labs brings together a diverse group of experts, including pioneering BCI researchers Mikhail Shapiro, Tyson Aflalo, and Sumner Norman. They are joined by technology entrepreneurs Alex Blania and Sandro Herbig, as well as Sam Altman, who is participating in a personal capacity.
This announcement follows a series of recent strategic partnerships by OpenAI, including collaborations with Cerebras and SoftBank Group as the company continues to expand its technological footprint.
