Microsoft in advanced talks to acquire AI vendor Nuance - reports

The deal is estimated to be valued at around $16bn

Microsoft is in advanced talks with Nuance Communications to buy the US artificial intelligence and speech technology company for $16bn (€13.43bn).

The deal could come as soon as this week, Bloomberg reports, with Nuance being priced at about $56 a share, though the terms may still change, according to sources.

Based out of Burlington, Massachusetts, Nuance specialises in "conversational AI innovations" and has a staff headcount of more than 10,000.

It operates in 27 countries covering North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific.

Its healthcare arm provides clinical speech and language understanding solutions that it claims improve the clinical documentation process.

Microsoft's relationship with Nuance began in 2019 when the two partnered on the delivery of ambient clinical intelligence (ACI) technologies to reduce clinician burnout.

Microsoft declined to comment.