IBM is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire data infrastructure company Confluent for around $11 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal. The move aims to strengthen IBM’s position in the growing cloud services market. Confluent, an open-source platform that handles large-scale real-time data—from bank transactions to website clicks—could see the deal announced as soon as Monday, the WSJ said, citing unnamed sources. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report, and neither company responded to requests for comment outside business hours.

In October, Reuters reported that Confluent was exploring a sale and had engaged an investment bank to manage interest from potential buyers. Confluent’s market capitalization is roughly $8.09 billion, while IBM, based in New York, is valued at about $287.84 billion. Investor caution has risen after IBM reported slower growth in its core cloud software business in October, raising concerns about sustaining momentum. Analysts noted that stronger software performance will be essential for IBM to maintain overall growth.

Acquisitions remain a central part of IBM’s strategy to meet investor expectations. Last year, IBM acquired HashiCorp for $6.4 billion, expanding its cloud offerings to meet rising AI-driven demand. Under CEO Arvind Krishna, the company has emphasized software and cloud services to capitalize on growing corporate cloud spending.

IBM’s interest in Confluent reflects the increasing demand for data infrastructure, driven in part by the race to develop generative AI. In May, Salesforce acquired software maker Informatica for about $8 billion to boost its AI capabilities. Confluent’s shares, based in Mountain View, California, closed at $23.14 on Friday, down slightly.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

India is considering revising its directive that requires smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-run cybersecurity app, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said on Wednesday, indicating a softer approach following public concerns about surveillance. Earlier, the main opposition party criticized the government over the move, and newspaper editorials echoed privacy advocates in opposing it. The directive could also create tensions with phone makers, with sources reporting that Apple does not plan to comply.

“We are ready to make changes to the order based on the feedback we receive,” Scindia told parliament. According to Reuters, the government had privately instructed companies including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi to preload the app, called Sanchar Saathi (Communication Partner), on new phones within 90 days. The government claims the app is intended to track and block stolen phones and prevent misuse.

Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala asked the government to clarify its legal authority for mandating a non-removable app and called for a parliamentary debate on privacy and security risks. He also raised concerns that the app could include a backdoor, compromising user data, and requested disclosure of cybersecurity audits and safeguards. The government has ordered the app to be delivered via software updates to existing devices and required manufacturers to ensure it cannot be disabled, describing it as necessary to address serious cybersecurity threats.

Industry sources note the move is unusual, with Russia being one of the few other examples, where Moscow mandated pre-installation of a state-backed messenger app, MAX, on mobile devices. Apple reportedly plans to communicate its concerns to New Delhi, emphasizing that it does not accept such mandates anywhere due to privacy and security risks within its iOS ecosystem.

The directive has sparked intense debate on Indian news channels, with politicians and privacy advocates weighing the pros and cons. Newspapers like The Indian Express highlighted surveillance concerns, while The Times of India urged the government to withdraw the order, calling phones “private space” and warning of potential future intrusions.

This controversy marks the second major privacy-related criticism faced by Modi’s government, after a 2020 COVID-19 contact-tracing app initially required for office workers was later made voluntary following privacy protests. Despite criticism, app downloads rose, with Sensor Tower reporting a 13% increase to 78,000 daily downloads on Monday.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Nvidia has invested $2 billion in chip-design software maker Synopsys as part of a broader multi-year partnership to create new AI-powered design tools for use across multiple industries. Announced on Monday, the deal comes as Nvidia continues a series of major investments—including in OpenAI and Anthropic—to strengthen its lead in the fast-growing artificial intelligence sector.

This collaboration aims to shift the design workloads of several advanced industries from traditional CPUs to Nvidia’s GPUs. Synopsys software is used to design everything from semiconductors to aircraft components, allowing engineers to run virtual simulations before producing costly prototypes. These simulations, which can take weeks, could be reduced to a few hours using Nvidia’s chips, the companies’ CEOs said.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said such a dramatic speed increase “will unlock opportunities that have never been possible before.” Synopsys and Nvidia already buy products from each other, and Nvidia’s wave of investments has raised questions about whether it is financially incentivizing customers to use its chips. Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi clarified that the $2 billion will give the company flexibility as it adapts its tools for Nvidia hardware and that there is no requirement to spend the money on Nvidia GPUs. Both leaders emphasized that the agreement is non-exclusive, and Ghazi said Synopsys remains open to working with other chipmakers such as AMD and Intel. Following the announcement, Synopsys shares rose nearly 5%, and Nvidia gained 1.4%.

Nvidia, now the world’s most valuable company, has poured billions this year into AI-related firms, including deals enabling up to $100 billion in funding for OpenAI and a $5 billion stake in Intel. Nvidia bought Synopsys shares at $414.79 each, roughly 0.8% below Friday’s closing price. Synopsys also works with AMD, while Nvidia collaborates with rival design-automation company Cadence, whose shares remained mostly unchanged.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

The Trump administration is reportedly weighing the approval of sales of Nvidia's H200 AI chips to China, sources say, amid a warming of U.S.-China relations that could open the door for advanced American technology exports. The Commerce Department, which regulates U.S. export controls, is reviewing its policy that currently bars such sales, though officials emphasized that decisions are still subject to change.

A White House spokesperson declined to comment directly, noting that the administration remains focused on maintaining U.S. technological leadership and national security. The Commerce Department did not respond to inquiries, and Nvidia stated that existing regulations prevent the company from offering a competitive AI data center chip in China, leaving the market to foreign competitors.

This move suggests a softer stance toward China following the recent trade and technology truce between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Busan. Some Washington policymakers, however, worry that exporting advanced AI chips could strengthen China’s military capabilities—a concern that led the Biden administration to impose restrictions on such exports.

Despite earlier threats to restrict tech exports in response to China’s control over rare earth minerals, Trump largely rolled back those measures. The H200 chip, launched two years ago, features more high-bandwidth memory than its predecessor, the H100, allowing faster data processing. It is estimated to be twice as powerful as the H20, the most advanced AI chip currently allowed for export to China after Trump reversed last year’s brief ban.

Earlier this week, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, whom Trump has called a “great guy,” attended a White House event during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department approved shipments of up to 70,000 Nvidia Blackwell chips, the company’s next-generation AI semiconductor, to Saudi Arabia’s Humain and the UAE’s G42.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

During the daily market analysis segment on Open For Business, hosts Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo engage in a detailed discussion with Mel Siew, who serves as the Portfolio Manager for Asia Public Credit at Muzinich & Co., covering insights, trends, and key developments impacting financial markets across the region.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Authorities are alerting the public to a new scam that uses fake digital identity cards. Could our tendency to casually share NRIC or passport scans via messages or email be making it easier for scammers? Daniel Martin discusses this with Matthias Yeo, CEO of CyberXCenter, a company dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity in Singapore.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company, is reportedly gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value it at as much as US$1 trillion, potentially ranking among the largest in history. The firm is expected to file with regulators by the second half of 2026, with a possible market debut in 2027. Hairianto Diman and Syahida Othman explore whether this trillion-dollar valuation is rooted in real fundamentals or driven by the growing hype surrounding AI’s future, alongside insights from Kyle Rodda, Senior Financial Market Analyst at Capital.com.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated and widespread, it is essential for businesses, government agencies, and individuals to stay informed about the latest trends, tactics, and strategies used by threat actors. Hairianto Diman and Syahida Othman explore how the private sector and government can enhance collaboration in cybersecurity with insights from Emil Tan, Director and Co-Founder of SINCON.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.