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Dec 8, 2025 4:00 AM

IBM Reportedly Nears $11 Billion Deal To Acquire Confluent, In Big Push Into Real-Time AI Data

International Business Machines Corp (NYSE:IBM) is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire data-infrastructure company Confluent Inc (NASDAQ:CFLT) for approximately $11 billion.

IBM’s Business Restructuring Around AI

IBM is close to finalizing a deal to buy Confluent, a company that provides technology for managing real-time data streams used in large artificial intelligence models, reported The Wall Street Journal on Sunday.

If completed, the acquisition would mark IBM's most significant recent deal as it continues restructuring its business around AI. The company had already strengthened its cloud and AI footprint last year by agreeing to buy cloud-software provider HashiCorp for $6.4 billion.

The demand for Confluent’s services has surged due to the AI boom, with companies in various sectors such ...