Today IBM announced its acquisition of DataStax, a provider of NoSQL database technology with roots in Apache Cassandra. As has been the case with many recent M&A deals in the enterprise technology sector, the acquisition is part of the AI arms race. IBM plans to use DataStax’s technology to “enhance IBM’s watsonx portfolio of products accelerating the use of generative AI, helping companies unlock value from vast amounts of unstructured data.”

IBM also touted the acquisition as a sign of its commitment to open source AI:

The acquisition also builds on IBM’s commitment to open-source AI. DataStax is the creator of AstraDB and DataStax Enterprise, NoSQL and vector database capabilities powered by Apache Cassandra®; and Langflow, the open-source tool and community for low-code AI application development.

IBM will continue to support, engage, and innovate with the open-source Apache Cassandra®, Langflow, Apache Pulsar™, and OpenSearch communities in which DataStax participates. IBM’s long-standing commitment to open-source AI includes the open-source IBM Granite foundation models and Instruct Lab, a revolutionary approach to advancing true open-source innovation around LLMs.

As we’ve previously observed, acquisitions like these and their strategic positioning in the acquirer’s portfolio serve as indications that the momentum in favor of open source AI is irreversible.