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Palo Alto to acquire CyberArk for $25b to advance AI-driven cybersecurity

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Palo Alto to acquire CyberArk for $25b to advance AI-driven cybersecurity
  • Deal details reveal that CyberArk’s investors will receive $45 in cash along with 2.2005 shares of Palo Alto for each share

Palo Alto Networks is making waves in the cybersecurity world with its landmark $25 billion acquisition of Israeli rival CyberArk Software.

The deal marks the largest in the company’s history and a significant move as CEO Nikesh Arora drives toward building a truly comprehensive cybersecurity powerhouse. The need for more complete, AI-driven protection is greater than ever, and Palo Alto’s latest move is a direct response to these global trends.

The cash-and-stock transaction stands out as one of the year’s most high-profile tech takeovers, reflecting the intense wave of consolidation across the cybersecurity industry.

As businesses experience more frequent and sophisticated breaches, many are eager to move away from the complexities—and vulnerabilities—of cobbling together services from multiple vendors. Instead, they’re looking for one-stop-shop solutions, which is exactly what Arora aims to deliver.

Palo Alto’s acquisition follows closely after Alphabet’s $32 billion purchase of Israeli security startup Wiz, highlighting the demand for cutting-edge defenses.

Palo Alto broadening its toolkit

By bringing CyberArk on board, Palo Alto is broadening its toolkit, especially by adding best-in-class identity security technologies. This is great news for massive enterprise clients, who now have a single provider able to tackle the growing threats that come with increased AI adoption.

The industry has seen a notable spike in cyberattacks ranging from data breaches to ransomware, prompting companies worldwide to bolster their cyber defenses.

Demand for sophisticated tools like those offered by CyberArk—which specialises in privileged access management to protect critical assets—shows no signs of slowing. Big-name customers such as Carnival Corp., Panasonic, and Aflac already rely on CyberArk’s expertise.

Deal details reveal that CyberArk’s investors will receive $45 in cash along with 2.2005 shares of Palo Alto for each share. The offer, valuing CyberArk at $495 per share, reflects a strong 29.2 per cent premium over the price before talks surfaced—an enticing proposal by any standard.

According to industry analysts, Palo Alto’s global sales muscle could significantly accelerate the adoption of CyberArk’s technology, particularly as identity security takes center stage in defending AI-powered systems.

Shared mission

International Data Corp. forecasts a substantial 12.2 per cent jump in cybersecurity spending in 2025 as companies rush to meet these intensified requirements.

Approval for the transaction has come from the boards of both companies, and the acquisition is set to close in Palo Alto’s fiscal 2026. Notably, the buyout will immediately contribute to both revenue growth and margins for Palo Alto.

Nikesh Arora shared his vision, expressing that the era of AI and machine identities means every digital identity should have precisely controlled privileges—a vision he believes CyberArk is perfectly equipped to fulfill.

For Udi Mokady of CyberArk, the deal caps a decades-long journey, emphasising the shared mission of protecting the world’s most critical digital assets.

Ultimately, this union represents more than just a merger of products: it’s an acceleration of the quest to build resilient, AI-powered defenses in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

India pips China to become largest exporter of smartphones to US

Mohammed Fahad
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India pips China to become largest exporter of smartphones to US
  • Apple scales up its production capacity in India over the last several years as a part of its ‘China Plus One’ strategy
  • Samsung and Motorola have also increased their share of US-targeted supply from India, although their shifts are significantly slower and smaller in scale than Apple’s.

The share of US smartphone shipments assembled in China shrank from 61 per cent in Q2 2024 to 25 per cent in Q2 2025 and most of this decline has been picked up by India, according to a new report.

The total volume of “Made-in-India” smartphones grew 240 per cent year on year, and now accounts for 44 per cent of smartphones imported into the US, up from only 13 per cent of smartphone shipments in Q2 2024, according to resecrh firm Canalys (now part of Omdia).

“India became the leading manufacturing hub for smartphones sold in the US for the very first time in Q2 2025, largely driven by Apple’s accelerated supply chain shift to India amid an uncertain trade landscape between the US and China,” said Sanyam Chaurasia, Principal Analyst at Canalys.

Apple leads the charge

Apple has scaled up its production capacity in India over the last several years as a part of its ‘China Plus One’ strategy and has opted to dedicate most of its export capacity in India to supply the US market so far in 2025.

 “Apple has begun manufacturing and assembling Pro models of the iPhone 16 series in India, but is still dependent on established manufacturing bases in China for the scaled supply needed for Pro models in the US,” Chaurasia said.

Samsung and Motorola have also increased their share of US-targeted supply from India, although their shifts are significantly slower and smaller in scale than Apple’s. Motorola, similar to Apple, has its core manufacturing hub in China, whereas Samsung relies mainly upon producing its smartphones in Vietnam.

The United States smartphone shipments grew by 1 per cent in Q2 2025 as vendors continued to frontload device inventories amid tariff concerns.

The uncertain outcome of negotiations with China has accelerated supply chain reorientation. Apple built up its inventories rapidly toward the end of Q1 and sought to maintain this level in Q2.

Samsung scaled up its inventory stock in Q2, boosting its shipments to grow 38 per cent year on year, predominantly driven by Galaxy A-series devices, said the report.

Will Tesla deal revitalise Samsung’s chip foundry business?

Naushad K. Cherrayil
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Will Tesla deal revitalise Samsung’s chip foundry business?
  • Deal offers Samsung the chance to reshape industry perceptions and move out from TSMC’s long shadow.
  • Samsung’s foundry business will need to string together more wins, consistently improve yields, mitigate engineering hiccups, and woo additional customers in sectors from automotive to AI accelerators.

When the Tesla-Samsung blockbuster deal first caught my eye, I couldn’t help but dive into the ripples it’s creating across the tech world.

The $16.5 billion partnership isn’t just a headline—it’s a potential game-changer for Samsung’s foundry ambitions, which, let’s be honest, have been stuck in the shadow of industry heavyweight TSMC for far too long.

To set the stage: Samsung’s foundry business has long tried to claw its way up, pouring billions into R&D and next-generation chip technology. Yet the simple truth is, profit has been elusive. Most major clients still look to TSMC when it’s time to roll out cutting-edge chips at scale.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that Samsung’s new chip factory in Taylor, Texas would make Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chip.

Samsung currently makes Tesla’s AI4 chips, which power its Full Self-Driving (FSD) driver assistant system, while TSMC is slated to make the AI5, initially in Taiwan and then Arizona, Musk has said

It holds just 8 per cent of the global foundry market, far behind TSMC, which has a 67 per cent share, according to data from market researcher Trendforce.

A badge of credibility

Despite its size and innovations, Samsung’s foundry arm has often played catch-up, struggling with inconsistent yields and the uphill battle of convincing big tech players to switch allegiances.

But here comes Tesla—a customer with not just deep pockets, but also a relentless vision for self-driving vehicles and AI-powered infotainment.

Landing Tesla as a flagship client delivers Samsung more than revenue; it’s a badge of credibility. In an industry ruled by trust, reliability, and bleeding-edge technology, having Tesla onboard sends tech companies and investors a strong, clear signal: Samsung can deliver, even on the most demanding projects.

Let’s talk competition. While TSMC remains the dominant force, this deal plants a flag for Samsung, showing it’s determined to fight for a bigger slice of the pie. Tech giants like Apple, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm have traditionally shied away from Samsung’s foundry—often due to concerns around yield, delays, or simply comfort with TSMC’s track record.

A giant leap forward

But the Tesla contract opens the door for Samsung to retell its story: as a foundry that’s not only investing heavily but delivering for world-class, forward-thinking partners.

Will this single deal guarantee long-term profitability? No—one big fish doesn’t make an ecosystem. Samsung’s foundry business will need to string together more wins, consistently improve yields, mitigate engineering hiccups, and woo additional customers in sectors from automotive to AI accelerators.

The Tesla contract, though, is a giant leap forward: proof that the tide may be turning. With renewed industry respect, more doors could open, reviving not just balance sheets, but the very reputation Samsung has chased for years.

If you ask me, the real significance of this deal lies beyond the numbers. It offers Samsung the chance to reshape industry perceptions and move out from TSMC’s long shadow. The foundry war is far from over, but for the first time in a while, Samsung’s fighting with renewed fire—and the whole industry is watching.

India’s AI diplomacy: Sharing multilingual models with the Global South

Ana Mary Joseph
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India’s AI diplomacy: Sharing multilingual models with the Global South
  • Instead of building closed-off ecosystems, India is positioning itself as a bridge—offering AI toolkits tailored for diverse languages and cultural contexts.
  • Unlike tech innovation models driven solely by the state or the corporate sector, India advocates for a multi-stakeholder ecosystem.

India is stepping onto the world stage with a spirit of collaboration, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence.

On Friday, IT Secretary S. Krishnan reiterated India’s readiness to share its rapidly evolving AI models with countries in the Global South. The announcement, made at FICCI’s ‘Bhashantara 2025’ conference, signals a major leap in India’s diplomatic and technological ambitions—underscored by a distinctly inclusive approach.

Harnessing its extraordinary linguistic diversity, India is well-placed to lead the development of advanced natural language processing (NLP) and multilingual AI tools.

“If you can do it in India, you can do it practically anywhere else in the world,” Krishnan noted, underlining India’s unique environment as the ideal testing ground for robust, diverse language technologies.

India’s collaborative stance hasn’t gone unnoticed. UN officials have previously acknowledged this openness, and now, the formal pledge boosts India’s profile as a trusted partner for regions navigating multilingual, resource-limited challenges.

Instead of building closed-off ecosystems, India is positioning itself as a bridge—offering AI toolkits tailored for diverse languages and cultural contexts.

Backed by successful projects such as Mission Bhashini and the Anuvadini application, India has demonstrated its ability to push the boundaries of human language technology. Particular attention has been paid to regional dialects, making these tools more accessible and inclusive for communities often left out of tech revolutions.

The momentum is powered by the IndiaAI Mission, a government initiative fostering innovation by providing ‘AI Kosh’, a robust repository of over 400 databases. The rich resource serves as a playground for startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs to develop next-gen, multilingual AI solutions.

India’s efforts also extend to digitising traditional knowledge—from age-old Ayurvedic texts to historical manuscripts—expanding the global pool of health and research data.

Unlike tech innovation models driven solely by the state or the corporate sector, India advocates for a multi-stakeholder ecosystem. The approach actively pulls in talent and investment from academia, industry, and research organizations for a communal push in advancing AI.

Private sector engagement was also front and center at the FICCI event. Harsh Dhand, a Google leader and FICCI Multilingual Internet Committee Co-Chair, called for greater data transparency.

He suggested unlocking historical data from public broadcasters and connecting diverse research initiatives, helping avoid redundant efforts. Dhand also emphasised that the industry’s role can be expanded beyond technology provision to include seed funding for startups, university collaborations, and nurturing AI skills across the board.

India’s open-source spirit—in technology as well as governance—continues to win attention. By inviting the Global South to share and iterate on its multilingual AI advancements, India is betting on collective progress, paving the way for more widely accessible technological solutions across continents.

Samsung seeks AI expansion and innovation in next-gen Galaxy devices

Mohammed Fahad
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Samsung seeks AI expansion and innovation in next-gen Galaxy devices
  • Company is testing new application processors for S26, considering both its proprietary Exynos 2600 and chips from longtime partner Qualcomm.

Samsung Electronics is stepping up its artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions for the next generation of Galaxy smartphones.

The tech titan is actively negotiating with AI leaders like OpenAI and Perplexity AI to bring a fresh wave of intelligent features to the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, expected to launch next year.

This push marks a significant move beyond Samsung’s existing partnership with Google and its Gemini model, reflecting a desire to give users greater choice and a richer AI experience.

Choi Won-Joon, President and COO of Samsung’s mobile division, offered a glimpse behind the scenes during an interview at the company’s Suwon headquarters.

“We are talking to multiple vendors. As long as these AI agents are competitive and can provide the best user experiences, we are open to any AI agent out there.” His statement signals Samsung’s appetite for diversity—and perhaps a bit of friendly competition—in the phone AI landscape.

Smartphone race is heating up

June reports indicated Samsung was close to striking an investment deal with Perplexity AI, planning to blend its software and assistant into Galaxy devices. Like its chief competitor Apple, the company is on the lookout for AI partnerships that can bolster in-house development and deliver meaningful upgrades for customers.

Beyond AI, Samsung is also weighing its options for what will power the next Galaxy S26. The company is testing new application processors, considering both its proprietary Exynos 2600 and chips from longtime partner Qualcomm.

The evaluation comes after the debut of the Exynos chipset—in a foldable device—for the first time in the latest Galaxy Z Flip 7. Samsung’s persistent effort to prove Exynos’ efficiency and thermal advantages shows its drive to control more of its tech stack, while gradually reducing reliance on outside suppliers.

The smartphone race is heating up in more ways than one. According to recent industry chatter, Apple is readying its first folding iPhone—drawing on Samsung’s innovations and even using foldable OLED screens from Samsung Display.

The competition doesn’t rattle Samsung’s executive team. “This is just the beginning of making these phones go mainstream,” Choi remarked about the new Galaxy foldables. Another global player in the foldable game would be a positive force for advancement across the industry, he added.

With expanded AI partnerships and ongoing hardware innovation, Samsung is doubling down on its mission: to push boundaries and keep its devices at the forefront of what’s possible in mobile technology.

Nasscom to host first “Tech Developer Confluence” to shape India’s future

Mohammed Fahad
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Nasscom to host first “Tech Developer Confluence” to shape India’s future
  • Aims to supercharge the nation’s developer community by offering them a national platform to innovate, experiment, and thrive.
  • Event aims to be a launchpad—inviting students, working developers, and technology leaders to join forces.

India’s technology workforce may be vast—boasting more than five million technologists—but Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar made an impassioned call for a new generation of builders.

“What we need now are creators who dream beyond lines of code and build for real-world scale,” he emphasised, speaking ahead of a landmark industry event.

Nasscom has unveiled plans for its inaugural ‘Tech Developer Confluence,’ set for August 8 in Bengaluru. With this initiative, India’s premier tech industry association aims to supercharge the nation’s developer community by offering them a national platform to innovate, experiment, and thrive.

Billed as the first of its kind, the gathering will shine a spotlight on game-changing technologies—think Generative AI, quantum computing, advanced cybersecurity, and more. Attendees can immerse themselves in hands-on workshops, deep-dive masterclasses, and spirited hackathons designed to turn raw potential into cutting-edge products and solutions.

Nambiar views the event as a fundamental reimagining of how India nurtures and inspires its tech talent. “The confluence is about rewiring the way we recognize and elevate developer minds,” he said.

The mission

More than just an educational forum, the event aims to be a launchpad—inviting students, working developers, and technology leaders to join forces.

The mission? To transform capability into innovation, turning local talent into a force capable of global impact.

Nasscom believes India’s IT community—including both current employees and aspiring professionals—can play a pivotal role in shaping the frontiers of AI, cloud computing, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and advanced product engineering.

This conference also strives to future-proof the nation’s education and skilling systems, encouraging grassroots participation and broadening access to the deep-tech economy.

Over the course of a single action-packed day, coders, architects, researchers, and student innovators will roll up their sleeves for explorations that go beyond the textbook.

From GenAI-powered DevOps and synthetic data modeling, to the mechanics of multi-agent systems and new frontiers in space-tech, participants are invited to grapple with real-world challenges and unlock tangible impact.

High-profile hackathons

Among the highlights: masterclasses delving into cutting-edge topics like building multi-agent AI applications, generating synthetic data for GenAI models, and leveraging AI-driven code assistants for rapid development.

Meanwhile, focused discussions will tackle practical issues such as cybersecurity strategies powered by agentic AI, implementing responsible AI principles end-to-end, and compliance with India’s new data privacy laws under the DPDP Act.

Notably, Nasscom will host two high-profile hackathons during the event, challenging teams to develop meaningful solutions addressing urgent industry needs.

It’s all part of the association’s commitment to nurturing India’s $284 billion technology sector and empowering developers to be the architects of tomorrow.

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