• C3.AI is reportedly in talks to merge with privately held startup Automation Anywhere, according to people familiar with the discussions.
  • Automation Anywhere would effectively become public through the proposed deal.
  • C3.AI was founded by Thomas Siebel and sells AI to large companies and government agencies.
  • Talks are ongoing and it is unclear whether a final agreement will be reached.

What happened

People familiar with the discussions say C3.AI, the enterprise AI company founded by Thomas Siebel, is in talks to merge with privately held startup Automation Anywhere. If completed, the transaction would effectively take Automation Anywhere public through the combination, according to those people.

Why this matters

A deal between C3.AI and Automation Anywhere would combine two recognizable names in enterprise software. C3.AI is known for selling AI products to large companies and government agencies; Automation Anywhere, as the name implies, is a private automation-focused startup. The proposed merger would change the ownership structure of the startup and position it under a publicly traded company’s umbrella, a step that can accelerate access to capital and scale—but also brings public-market scrutiny and regulatory obligations.

Possible implications and risks

  • Governance and public scrutiny: Bringing a private startup into a public company typically increases disclosure requirements and investor attention, which can expose business risks and strategic missteps.
  • Integration challenges: Combining products, sales teams and customer contracts can be complex and costly; successful integration is not guaranteed.
  • Strategic positioning: For customers and partners, the merger could mean broader product suites and deeper enterprise reach—or shifts in roadmaps and priorities that some users may find disruptive.

What we don’t know yet

Key details about the talks remain unclear. People familiar with the discussions provided the initial account, but there has been no public confirmation of terms, timelines or whether a definitive agreement will be reached. It is also not known how either company plans to structure the transaction or how regulators and major customers would respond.

Market and stakeholder reaction to watch

If the merger moves forward, expect attention from investors, enterprise customers and rivals in the AI and automation space. Customers will likely watch for product roadmap changes and contract continuity; investors will focus on how the combined company plans to grow revenue and manage costs under public-company reporting.

Bottom line

The reported talks between C3.AI and Automation Anywhere could be a significant shift for both businesses: a pathway for a private automation startup to become public and a strategic move for C3.AI to broaden its enterprise offerings. But talks are still underway, and the outcome is not yet certain. Continued reporting will be required to confirm any deal terms or definitive outcomes.

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