Sam Altman has appointed Mikhail Shapiro, a noted biomolecular engineer, to join the Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface startup that he is set to announce with co-founder Alex Blania. Although Shapiro’s specific role is not yet defined, sources indicate that he will be a significant part of Merge’s founding team and is involved in ongoing discussions with investors. The startup anticipates raising hundreds of millions of dollars, potentially from OpenAI among other sources, as reported by The Financial Times.
Shapiro’s recruitment hints at the technological direction Altman is pursuing with Merge. At Caltech, Shapiro has led advancements in biomolecular tech, particularly noninvasive methods for neural imaging and control. His focus has included employing ultrasound to interact with the brain without requiring invasive surgeries, contrasting approaches seen in companies like Neuralink.
Additionally, Shapiro has conducted substantial research in gene therapy to enhance the visibility of cells to ultrasound. This aligns with previous reports suggesting that Merge is considering similar methodologies for its initial product offering. Neither Shapiro nor representatives for Altman and Blania were available for comment.
In a recent discussion, Shapiro mentioned utilizing sound waves and magnetic fields for brain-computer interfaces, suggesting a preference for introducing genes into cells over invasive techniques like electrode implantation. He expressed a commitment to developing less invasive approaches to interface with neurons.
Altman has also voiced his skepticism about Neuralink’s invasive strategy. In an August press dinner, he stated he would not support an approach that could damage neurons and expressed a desire for a system that allows thoughts to communicate directly with AI, like ChatGPT.
As Merge Labs prepares to launch in the coming weeks, it is expected that Altman will assume the position of chairman without being involved in the everyday operations, similar to his role in another venture focused on eye-scanning technology. He has previously discussed the timeline for possible human-machine integration, with predictions ranging from 2025 to 2075.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/column/806666/sam-altman-merge-labs-brain-computer-interface-startup-hire