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OpenAI ARTICLE ARTIKEL 15 January 2026 15 januari 2026

Investing in Merge Labs Investering in Merge Labs

Progress in interfaces enables progress in computing. Each time people gain a more direct way to express intent, technology becomes more powerful and more useful. Vooruitgang in interfaces maakt vooruitgang in computing mogelijk. Elke keer dat mensen een directere manier krijgen om hun intentie uit te drukken, wordt technologie krachtiger en nuttiger.

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AI maker AI-maker OpenAI Type Type Article Artikel Published Gepubliceerd 15 January 2026 15 januari 2026 Updates Updates Videos Video's View original article Bekijk origineel artikel
Why it matters Waarom dit telt

Quick editorial signal Snelle redactionele duiding

2 min
Impact Impact

Relevant if you build with AI tools, APIs, or coding agents. Relevant als je bouwt met AI-tools, API's of coding agents.

Audience Voor wie Developers Developers
Level Niveau Expert Expert
  • Track this as a OpenAI update, not just a standalone headline. Bekijk dit als OpenAI-update, niet alleen als losse headline.
  • Useful for builders who need to understand API, coding, or workflow changes. Nuttig voor bouwers die API-, code- of workflowwijzigingen willen begrijpen.
  • Likely worth revisiting after people have used the release in practice. Waarschijnlijk de moeite waard om opnieuw te bekijken zodra mensen het in praktijk gebruiken.
model apps developers

Brain computer interfaces (BCIs) are an important new frontier. They open new ways to communicate, learn, and interact with technology. BCIs will create a natural, human-centered way for anyone to seamlessly interact with AI. This is why OpenAI is participating in Merge Labs’ seed round.

Merge Labs is a research lab with the long-term mission of bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability, agency, and experience. It is developing fundamentally new approaches⁠(opens in a new window) to BCIs that are safe and interface with the brain at much higher bandwidth by combining biology, devices, and AI.

AI will play a central role to Merge’s approach. It will accelerate research and development including bioengineering, neuroscience and device engineering. In addition, high-bandwidth interfaces will benefit from AI operating systems that can interpret intent, adapt to individuals, and operate reliably with limited and noisy signals. OpenAI will collaborate with Merge Labs on scientific foundation models and other frontier tools to accelerate progress.

We are excited to support and collaborate with Merge Labs as they turn an ambitious idea into reality and ultimately products that are useful for people.

Merge Labs’ co-founders include researchers Mikhail Shapiro, Tyson Aflalo, and Sumner Norman, who have pioneered entirely new approaches to BCI. They are complemented by technology entrepreneurs Alex Blania, Sandro Herbig and Sam Altman in a personal capacity.

If you are excited by their mission, you can reach out here⁠(opens in a new window).

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