Group 1 - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is preparing to co-found a brain-computer interface company named Merge Labs to compete with Elon Musk's Neuralink [1][2] - Merge Labs aims for a target valuation of approximately $850 million and is currently in talks to raise $250 million [2] - The focus of Merge Labs is on developing high-bandwidth brain-computer interfaces for seamless communication between human thoughts and digital systems [2] Group 2 - Although Altman will not hold an operational role in Merge Labs, his involvement highlights his long-standing fascination with the integration of humans and machines [2] - Neuralink, founded by Musk in 2016, has reached a valuation of $9 billion, indicating a significant competitive landscape between the two companies [2] - The establishment of Merge Labs is expected to add a new chapter to the competition between Altman and Musk [2]