The move reflects a rapidly intensifying race among technology giants to strengthen the data foundations required for generative and agentic AI.

IBM is acquiring a data streaming platform in a deal worth $11 billion. The iconic technology and consulting company announced the agreement with Confluent, Inc. on Monday. Confluent is an open-source enterprise data streaming platform that connects processes and governs reusable and reliable data and events in real time,

IBM proves AI impact comes from redesigning work and culture, with leaders and employees driving change, not from new tools alone.