Have you ever wanted to have the ability to control your surroundings simply by thinking? Humans have long considered this possibility to be fictitious, but recent advancements in technology have made it a reality. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) or brain-machine interfaces are systems that enable an external device to interact directly with the brain. For instance, to turn on a light switch, one must first decide to act, then coordinate the muscles, and finally, the light turns on. BCIs bypass muscles and peripheral nerves, translating the patterns and features from brain signals to movement, speech, or cognition.
In 2016, Elon Musk and a team of engineers and scientists founded Neuralink, a neurotechnology company specializing in implantable BCIs. The company’s mission is to restore autonomy to those with paralysis, speech impairments, and neurological disorders. Since its launch, around 12 people have received the Neuralink chip implant. Some individuals have regained motor control by connecting the chip to a robotic arm, and others have even been able to produce artworks. Neuralink’s approach involves implanting electrodes into the patients’ brains using robots. The electrical signals are converted and decoded into data that is then interpreted by the computer. However, due to the invasive nature of this procedure, it has sparked public debate due to its associated risks and costs.
Alternatively, non-invasive methods that rely on sensors outside the skull evoke fewer ethical concerns, but are typically less effective. In January 2026, OpenAI announced its investment in its CEO Sam Altman’s new startup, Merge Labs. The lab hopes to develop non-invasive technologies, such as ultrasound, to transmit information from neurons to machines. OpenAI will work with Merge Labs to utilize artificial intelligence to interpret and model data.
Altman’s actions both intensify his competition with Musk and advance his broader vision. He has long pondered the idea of the merging of humans and machines. In 2017, he wrote in a blog post: “We will be the first species ever to design our own descendants. My guess is that we can either be the biological bootloader for digital intelligence and then fade into an evolutionary tree branch, or we can figure out what a successful merge looks like.”
The bridging of biological and artificial intelligence is Merge Lab’s ultimate goal, but how that can be done is still a mystery. BCIs are improving the lives of many patients. Still, their evolution and Altman’s vision of “The Merge” raise concerns about a future where some humans can be engineered to have enhanced memory, vision, and reflexes. When should we stop, and what is the ultimate goal of this technology? These are the questions that need to be further discussed at CA and beyond.