Sam Altman’s New Brain Venture, Merge Labs, Will Spin Out of a NonprofitPLUS: Research Reveals the Optimal Way to Optimize, and more. View in browser | Your newsletter preferences12.21.25 SCIENCE Sam Altman’s New Brain Venture, Merge Labs, Will Spin Out of a NonprofitBY EMILY MULLIN | 2-MINUTE READ Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface startup that seeks to read brain activity using ultrasound, is being spun out of Forest Neurotech, a Los Angeles nonprofit. SCIENCE Research Reveals the Optimal Way to OptimizeBY STEVE NADIS | 6-MINUTE READ The leading approach to the simplex method, a widely used technique for balancing complex logistical constraints, can’t get any better. BUSINESS Scammers in China Are Using AI-Generated Images to Get RefundsBY ZEYI YANG | 3-MINUTE READ From dead crabs to shredded bed sheets, fraudsters are using fake photos and videos to get their money back from ecommerce sites.ADVERTISEMENT GEAR We’ve Never Seen Our Favorite Bluetooth Speaker Sell for LessBY LOURYN STRAMPE | 1-MINUTE READ The JBL Flip 7 is our top tried-and-tested Bluetooth speaker, and this is the best deal we've tracked. THE BIG STORY The Delirious, Violent, Impossible True Story of the ZiziansBY EVAN RATLIFF | 52-MINUTE READ A handful of gifted young tech people set out to save the world. For years, WIRED has been tracking each twist and turn of their alleged descent into mayhem and death. ADVERTISEMENT Thanks for reading. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here. Plus, browse more newsletters from WIRED. You’re receiving this email because you signed up for the Daily newsletter from WIRED. Manage your preferences | View our Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe Have questions or comments? Send us a message. Need help? Contact us. Copyright © Condé Nast 2025. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.
