This passage originates from *Sources* by Alex Heath, a specialized newsletter offering readers an in-depth window into the rapidly shifting landscape of artificial intelligence and the broader technology sector. The publication, distributed exclusively to subscribers of *The Verge* on a weekly basis, examines emerging trends, key players, and innovations shaping the future of human–machine interaction.
According to the report, Sam Altman, known for his leadership in AI and for his role as CEO of OpenAI, has enlisted Mikhail Shapiro — an acclaimed and award-winning biomolecular engineer — to join a groundbreaking new venture known as Merge Labs. This startup, which Altman plans to unveil in the near future alongside his co-founder Alex Blania, is focused on developing a brain–computer interface that could fundamentally redefine how humans communicate with digital systems. Although Shapiro’s precise title within the company has not been publicly confirmed, multiple sources familiar with internal discussions suggest that he will join as part of the founding team and serve as a principal figure during negotiations with potential investors. These fundraising conversations are reportedly ongoing, with Merge anticipating the successful acquisition of several hundred million dollars in capital, largely from OpenAI and a variety of other prominent backers — a development initially revealed by *The Financial Times*.
Shapiro’s recruitment provides a strong indication of the technological direction Altman intends to pursue with Merge. As head of his laboratory at the California Institute of Technology, Shapiro has earned recognition for pioneering experimental achievements in biomolecular engineering, particularly those that aim to decipher and manipulate complex biological systems without the need for invasive surgery. His research has concentrated on the development of noninvasive neural imaging and control methods, exploring how ultrasound waves might safely and precisely interact with brain activity. Unlike more invasive approaches, such as the electrode-driven interfaces championed by Neuralink, Shapiro’s methods aim to harness sound waves to engage neurons without physically breaching the skull or damaging sensitive tissues.
In addition to this work, Shapiro has contributed notable advancements in gene therapy, developing innovative techniques that make individual cells responsive to ultrasound-based imaging and control. These efforts reinforce earlier insights reported by *Bloomberg*, which suggested that Merge Labs may integrate similar gene-based ultrasound technologies into its inaugural product line. Despite growing curiosity surrounding his role, neither Shapiro nor official representatives for Altman and Blania have offered public comments regarding the collaboration or the startup’s immediate plans.
During a recent lecture, Shapiro elaborated on his view of brain–computer interface development, focusing on how physical phenomena like sound waves and magnetic fields could act as communication conduits between biological brain tissue and computational machines. Rather than inserting electrodes directly into neural matter — a procedure fraught with medical and ethical challenges — he proposed that a more practical and biologically harmonious approach involves the genetic modification of cells so that they respond to external stimuli such as ultrasound. Shapiro described his broader scientific mission as one of creating methods to interact with neurons and other bodily cells in ways that minimize physical intrusion, emphasizing the ultimate goal of enabling seamless, noninvasive communication between mind and machine.
Altman himself has publicly voiced skepticism toward Neuralink’s more intrusive model of brain-interfacing technology. During a private press dinner held in August, which the author personally attended, Altman remarked that he would be unwilling to implant or integrate any device into his own brain that posed the risk of neuron loss, as he claims Neuralink’s current approach does. He expressed a personal aspiration to interact with artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT directly through thought — a form of cognitive interface that would allow for communication without verbal or manual input. However, he joked that for now, he might prefer a “read-only” mode, implying that such technology should be cautiously bounded to prevent unintended consequences while still realizing remarkable potential.
When Merge Labs is formally introduced to the public — an announcement expected within the next several weeks — Altman is projected to assume the role of chairman rather than day-to-day executive leader. This arrangement mirrors his partnership with Alex Blania at their other joint enterprise, Tools for Humanity, a company recognized for developing the distinctive “eyeball-scanning orb” designed to verify human identity through biometric technology. The theme of human and technological convergence is one that Altman has contemplated for years. In a 2017 essay, he mused on the timeline in which humanity and machines might fully integrate — or, alternatively, the period when artificial intelligence or genetically enhanced beings could surpass human cognitive capabilities. He noted that speculative predictions surrounding this epoch of fusion commonly fall somewhere between the years 2025 and 2075.
Taken together, these developments portray a vivid picture of Altman’s broader ambition: to explore the frontier where biology and computation intersect, and to do so through methods that prioritize safety, innovation, and ethical reflection. Merge Labs may soon reveal not only a technical innovation, but a conceptual leap toward a future in which the boundaries between thought and technology become increasingly indistinct.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/column/806666/sam-altman-merge-labs-brain-computer-interface-startup-hire
