NEWS
IBM to acquire Confluent to create smart data platform for enterprise GenAI
IBM and Confluent have confirmed a definitive agreement under which IBM will acquire all issued and outstanding Confluent common shares for $ 31 per share – valuing the company at $ 11 billion. data flow across environments,” said Arvind Krishna, IBM Chairman, President and CEO.“ IBM will provide the smart data platform for enterprise IT, purpose-built for AI.”
Confluent’ s leading open-source streaming platform connects, processes and governs real-time, reusable data essential for AI deployment.
The acquisition is expected to deliver an end-to-end data platform for businesses to connect, process and govern data for applications and AI agents – with the transaction expected to be accretive to adjusted EBITDA within the first full year and free cash flow in year two, post close
“ Confluent has empowered organizations to unlock real-time data for innovation,” said Jay Kreps, Confluent CEO and Co-founder.“ Joining IBM will accelerate our strategy with global scale and an expanded portfolio.”
Confluent’ s streaming capabilities, combined with IBM’ s AI infrastructure and Automation software, position the companies to address a TAM that has doubled to $ 100 billion in 2025.
As industries accelerate digital transformation, IDC predicts more than one billion new logical applications by 2028. These applications, along with emerging AI agents, require continuous access to connected, trusted data.
Together, IBM and Confluent say will deliver an end-to-end smart data platform that integrates applications, analytics, data systems and AI agents across hybrid cloud environments.
“ IBM and Confluent will enable enterprises to deploy generative and agentic AI better and faster by ensuring trusted communication and
ServiceNow makes major multi-year Investment to enable AI adoption at scale across Canada’ s public sector
ServiceNow is to make a CA $ 110 million multi-year investment to accelerate AI adoption across Canada’ s public sector.
The commitment includes new Canadianhosted, AI-ready digital infrastructure with advanced data residency, security, privacy and operational controls, as well as a new Canada Centre of Excellence that will create approximately 100 high-skilled, Canadabased jobs.
The investment expands ServiceNow’ s national footprint and enhances its ability to support federal, provincial and municipal organizations with digital modernization and AI transformation.
ServiceNow’ s long-standing work with government agencies, crown corporations and major cities has established the foundation for this next phase of growth. By running the ServiceNow AI platform in a secure, local environment, public sector organizations can automate workflows, improve service delivery, and operate more efficiently.
“ This is a major investment in Canada’ s digital future,” said Chris Ellison, Group Vice President and General Manager, ServiceNow Canada.“ Our customers are asking for greater efficiency and the ability to scale with AI – this ensures we can deliver exactly that.”
The new Centre of Excellence will expand in-country expertise to help Canadian organizations accelerate deployments and unlock value quickly.
“ Advancing secure AI adoption and digital sovereignty is essential to a resilient Canadian economy,” said Evan Solomon, Canada’ s Minister of AI and Digital Innovation.
ServiceNow says its investment reinforces the company’ s long-term commitment to Canada and its support for a modern, AIenabled public sector. p
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