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By Milana Vinn (Reuters) -Confluent is exploring a sale after attracting acquisition interest, according to three people familiar with the matter, the latest data infrastructure company to draw suitors for its potential in supporting artificial intelligence development. The software provider is working with an investment bank on the sale process, which is in its early stages and was instigated after both private equity firms and other technology companies expressed their interest to the company in buying it, the sources said. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $7 billion, but its stock is trading around 26% lower year-to-date. Some of the sources noted while Confluent's technology is highly sought-after, it became vulnerable to takeover approaches when its stock price dived in July, when it reported losing business from a large customer. The sources cautioned that no deal is guaranteed and Confluent could ultimately remain independent. They also spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are confidential. Confluent did not immediately respond to a comment request. Mountain View, California-based Confluent provides technology needed to manage massive, real-time data streams for artificial intelligence models. The company was founded by the original creators of Apache Kafka, a popular open-source technology that helps companies process huge torrents of data in real time, from bank transactions to website clicks. Confluent commercializes Kafka, providing enterprise-grade features, services, and support to major corporations worldwide. The interest in Confluent highlights a surge in demand for data infrastructure companies, fueled by the corporate race to develop generative artificial intelligence. In May, Salesforce agreed to acquire software maker Informatica for approximately $8 billion to bolster its AI capabilities by integrating Informatica's data management, integration, and governance tools into the Salesforce platform. (Reporting by Milana Vinn in New York; Editing by David French and Christopher Cushing)

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By Gianluca Lo Nostro (Reuters) -Most European small and mid-sized enterprises are prioritizing artificial intelligence systems over basic digital tools across their businesses, losing ground to bigger firms investing in core digital systems, a study published on Wednesday showed. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT While large corporations are steadily adopting AI software and scaling up investments, small businesses across Europe often lack relevant expertise and digital infrastructure. Companies are turning to this technology to automate tasks and reduce costs across the board, resulting in job cuts which are shaking up entire industries. The survey, conducted by French fintech Qonto, found that 46% of European SMEs use AI tools like ChatGPT daily but only a fraction of them implement digital accounting, video conferencing, data analytics or digital document management. This inconsistency is causing a striking paradox that could threaten the future of Europe's economic backbone, Qonto says. BY THE NUMBERS The report was conducted alongside research firm Appinio after interviewing 1,600 senior decision makers in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Two out of every five businesses feel unprepared for digital transformation, representing 10 million companies across Europe, according to the report. Germany stands out with 76% of businesses feeling well prepared while France struggles with nearly half feeling inadequately equipped for the digital shift. KEY QUOTE "While AI offers exciting opportunities, we believe European businesses will have to build strong digital foundations that can support their long-term growth and innovation goals," said Qonto's Chief executive, Alexandre Prot. WHAT'S NEXT The survey suggests targeted interventions could help close Europe's digital gap. Reducing regulatory burdens in Germany, addressing skills shortages in Spain, and overcoming cultural resistance in France could strengthen competitiveness against better-equipped rivals increasingly using AI to slash costs and streamline operations. (Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro; Editing by Matt Scuffham)

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By Arpan Chaturvedi and Aditya Kalra NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Hollywood and Bollywood groups are lobbying an Indian panel for stricter copyright protection that will prevent artificial intelligence firms from using their intellectual property to train AI models, letters show. AI companies remain at loggerheads with content owners globally and governments are fast developing regulations that lay down rules for the new technology. While Japan gives broad exemptions to AI firms in using copyrighted content, the European Union has stricter rules that allow content owners to opt-out of such use. The movie industry is particularly concerned that AI tools could scrape their copyrighted videos, images and clips online – like trailers and promos – and more critically ingest pirated content onto their platforms. India's current copyright law does not account for use by AI. The government formed a panel this year consisting of lawyers, government officials and industry executives to review if existing copyright law is sufficient to tackle AI-related disputes, and make recommendations. WORRIED FILM STUDIOS LOBBYING HARD Motion Picture Association (MPA), which represents Warner Bros, Paramount and Netflix, and the Producers Guild of India have argued India should not tinker with its copyright law and instead promote a licencing regime.  In response to the panel's private inquiry on why India should not allow blanket training exceptions to bolster AI innovation, MPA India Managing Director Uday Singh said in an August 2 letter the move could "undermine the incentive to create new works and erode copyright protection in India." The Indian guild's CEO Nitin Tej Ahuja told the panel in his letter "licensing copyrighted works is essential for creators' revenue and business sustainability." MPA declined to comment, while the guild did not respond to Reuters queries on the letters, which are not public.  India's commerce ministry official Himani Pande, who chairs the panel, did not respond to Reuters queries. The panel is finalising its recommendations which it will present to senior officials in coming weeks, a source with direct knowledge said. INDIA'S VIBRANT MOVIE MARKET     India has one of the world's most vibrant film industries. A Deloitte-MPA study in May said India's film, TV and online content industry generated $13.1 billion in revenues last year, growing 18% each year since 2019.      The deliberations come just when a Bollywood couple has gone to court to challenge YouTube's AI policies after their manipulated videos started spreading online.  The film studios' position is in contrast to the Business Software Alliance, which represents AI firms like OpenAI, and which argued in  public submissions in July that New Delhi should ensure exceptions to permit lawful AI use. MPA members however remain concerned. The association has said India should not consider allowing use of content in AI models with an opt-out system as it will put the burden of responsibility on the movie studios, a move that could force them to individually track and block sharing of their work on scores of AI platforms. Such exceptions "would hinder future investments, development of high-quality local content," MPA India said. In September, Warner sued AI service Midjourney in Los Angeles by saying it brazenly stole the studio's works to generate images and videos of Batman, Superman, Bugs Bunny and other copyrighted characters. Midjourney maintains the way it trains its AI model amounts to fair use. (Reporting by Arpan Chaturvedi and Aditya Kalra; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

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TOKYO (Reuters) -Toyota and Sumitomo Metal Mining said on Wednesday they have made advances in the development of cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries for electric cars, and have agreed to work together to mass produce those materials. Solid-state batteries hold the promise of improved safety, a longer lifespan and faster charging compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries that use flammable liquid electrolytes. But mass adoption remains some way off due to constraints in raw material availability, intricate manufacturing processes and the resultant high costs. Toyota, the world's biggest automaker by sales, is looking to launch EVs with all-solid-state batteries in 2027 or 2028. The Japanese companies said their joint research since 2021 on cathode materials has focused on challenges such as cathode material degradation during repeated charging and discharging cycles, and they have now developed a "highly durable cathode material", using Sumitomo Metal's proprietary powder synthesis technology. They will now work on improving the performance, quality, and safety of cathode materials, as well as reducing costs, their statement said, adding that they aim to achieve the world's first practical use of all-solid-state batteries in EVs. Sumitomo Metal plans to start mass production of newly developed cathode materials as early as the financial year beginning April 2028, a company spokesperson said. "We will prioritize supplying Toyota, then respond flexibly to market demand," the spokesperson said. Toyota is also partnering with Idemitsu Kosan in solid-state batteries, with the oil refiner developing another key material, lithium sulphide. (Reporting by Yuka Obayashi; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

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