Sam Altman, Elon Musk Race to Embed Al into Human Bodies

(MENAFN) Leading voices in tech and academia are sounding the alarm as powerful tech executives accelerate efforts to embed artificial intelligence and biotechnology directly into the human body—raising profound ethical questions about the future of humanity.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly preparing to launch Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface venture that would rival Elon Musk's already controversial Neuralink, according to media. These parallel projects aim to reshape the human experience by enhancing physical, mental, and psychological abilities.

Ahmet Dag, professor of philosophy at Bursa Uludag University in Türkiye, warned in comments to media that these breakthroughs—driven by a philosophy known as transhumanism—require urgent ethical oversight.

Dag argues that transhumanist initiatives tend to reduce human beings and life itself to purely physical or functional components. He warns that overlooking the complex, layered nature of human existence—and treating people as merely upgradeable systems—could lead to a dangerous erosion of core human values, resulting in a form of dehumanization.

The concept isn’t new. Dag noted that former Google engineer Ray Kurzweil laid much of the groundwork years ago, advocating for a future where technology helps humans surpass their biological limits.

“Technological singularity, which came to the fore with Musk’s Neuralink in 2021, seeks to transfer human consciousness to machines through brain–computer interfaces and implants,” Dag explained. “Sam Altman’s involvement in this new initiative shows that this tech is going to transform health care and education, but it will also bring about global economic and social shifts.”

Merge Labs, still in early stages, signals how deeply AI elites are investing in the long-term goal of merging human minds with machines—a once-fictional vision now edging toward reality.

Dag framed transhumanism as a modern iteration of timeless human myths.

“Prometheus’ taking of fire and Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality tell us the stories of human desire to transcend limits—this desire brought about the Age of Enlightenment and the desire to dominate nature,” he said.

He drew historical parallels, noting that industrialization revolutionized human labor and lifestyle, while computers and digital technologies began the process of integrating the mind with machines.

Dag emphasized both the promise and peril of these advances.

“Conditions like illness, aging, and death are sought to be overcome with these technologies—it will be possible to cure paralysis or eliminate conditions like Alzheimer’s, and such, with implants and biotechnical interventions,” he said.

Some advocates believe these breakthroughs could help solve global crises—from climate change to pandemics and food insecurity. But Dag cautioned that such innovation could also challenge the core of human identity.

“If these projects come to fruition, even partially, the organic nature of humans and concepts like consciousness, identity, free will, freedom, and equality will come into question,” he said.

While the benefits in education and health care are substantial, Dag warned that unchecked development—especially under the influence of corporate monopolies—could pose existential risks.

He emphasized that it is crucial for these technologies to be regulated within a framework of justice, ethics, equality, and dignity. Without such oversight, and if driven solely by market forces and the interests of powerful monopolies, humanity could face significant risks.

Dag concluded with a stark warning: the outcome of the technological singularity will hinge not on the scale of advancement, but the values behind it.

“The real issue is not, however, how far in the horizon technology can reach, but what kind of values these horizons allow for,” he said.

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