In a massive move to control the data plumbing for AI, IBM is buying Confluent for $31 per share, a 34% premium. The $11 billion deal is expected to close by mid-2026 and will combine Confluent’s streaming platform with IBM’s AI and automation software.
Students are choosing new AI majors over traditional computer science in droves. Universities are racing to meet demand, but some worry the programs are heavy on hype and light on fundamentals.
A new trend uses AI like ChatGPT to facilitate mental health group chats, completely removing the human therapist. Proponents cite cost and access, but experts warn of dangerous hallucinations and a lack of real therapeutic skill.
According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies, Johny Srouji, is contemplating a departure. This would mark the fifth high-profile executive exit at Apple in a very short period, as the company undergoes a major reorganization.
The House Committee on Homeland Security is pressing Apple and Google for specifics on their policies to block apps that track immigration officers. This follows Apple’s removal of the ICEBlock app in October after pressure from the U.S. Attorney General. A briefing has been requested by December 12
Intel has quietly added support for its high-end Arc Battlemage BMG-G31 GPU in a software update. This move suggests the long-rumored graphics card could finally be nearing launch, potentially at CES 2026.
KKR & Co. is making a massive play for AI infrastructure, agreeing to invest several billion dollars into a portfolio of data centers owned by Compass Datacenters. The deal highlights the intense rush by financial giants to secure physical assets powering the artificial intelligence revolution.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s stock took a 9% hit Friday following a quarterly revenue miss. While overall sales grew 14% to $9.68 billion, it fell short of the $9.94 billion analysts expected, with server segment revenue declining 5% year-over-year.
TechRadar dug into Norton VPN’s privacy promises. The policy is transparent and audited, but it does keep some connection and app data for up to 18 months. It’s a strong contender for privacy-focused users.
X-FAB is launching a new platform to speed up silicon carbide chip development. The company claims it can cut planning phases by 6x and get devices to production up to nine months faster. It’s a push to capture more fabless business in the competitive power semiconductor market.
