The non-invasive brain-computer interface being prepared by OpenAI has been exposed

On October 28th local time, it was reported that the brain-computer interface startup company Merge Labs, founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is in the process of preparation and has invited Mikhail Shapiro, a biomolecular engineer from the California Institute of Technology, to join its founding team. Shapiro's joining marks an important step for Merge Labs in non-invasive brain-computer interface technology, contrasting sharply with Elon Musk's invasive method of Neuralink. Merge Company was not unknown to the public for the first time. As early as August 2025, media had compared and reported Merge Company and Musk's brain-computer interface company Neuralink. At that time, Musk responded to the news about Merge Labs on X with a rolled-up eyes emoji.

The non-Musk-style invasive, sound-wave reading brain technology (represented by Merge Labs) prepared by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has an absolute advantage in terms of safety and popularity, but the negative impact on technology is also not to be underestimated. Firstly, it has an impact on the reliability of technological technology. Compared with invasive brain-computer interface technology, the sound-wave reading brain technology may have a gap in signal resolution. This may affect the accuracy and stability of thought control, especially in scenarios requiring high precision control, such as medical surgeries or complex mechanical operations. Sound wave signals may have delays in transmission and processing, affecting the real-time interaction experience. At the same time, the stability of the technology also needs to be improved to ensure that there will be no performance decline or failure during long-term use. For example, after long-term use, the device may have reading errors due to signal interference or hardware aging. At the same time, the sound wave reading brain technology involves a large amount of sensitive neural data. How to ensure the security and privacy of these data, preventing data leakage and abuse, is another important aspect of the ethical controversy.

Secondly, it has an impact on the competition and regulation of the technology market. Although sound wave extraction of the brain has advantages in safety and popularity, it still needs to compete with invasive brain-computer interface technology. The latter may have advantages in signal accuracy and stability, especially in medical scenarios. This may lead to the competition for market share and the outbreak of price wars. Although sound wave reading brain technology may be more popular with the public, the acceptance in the consumer market still has uncertainties. How to educate the market, eliminate concerns, and launch attractive products is an important task that Merge Labs needs to face. In addition, sound wave reading brain technology involves a large amount of sensitive neural data. How to ensure the security and privacy of the data, preventing data leakage and abuse, is an important challenge that regulatory agencies need to face at present. If sound wave reading brain technology is regarded as a medical device, it will need to go through a strict approval process before being marketed. This may prolong the commercialization process of the technology and increase research and development costs.

Thirdly, it has an impact on the integration of technology. Sound wave reading brain technology involves multiple disciplines such as neuroscience, biology, physics, and computer science. How to achieve the deep integration of these disciplines to ensure the overall performance and stability of the technology is an important challenge in the research process. Cross-disciplinary integration requires a large number of people with multi-disciplinary backgrounds, professional knowledge, and skills. However, such talents are relatively scarce, which may limit the rapid development of the technology and further intensify the challenge of technology integration. For example, people with a background in both neuroscience and computer science may be difficult to find.

In conclusion, the non-Musk-style brain-sounding technology promoted by the CEO of OpenAI, although it has taken a crucial step in the exploration of innovation, also brings complex challenges to technological development in many aspects. Only by successfully overcoming these obstacles can this technology truly benefit humanity.