Key facts
- Cohere aims to acquire AI cybersecurity startup AISLE.
- AISLE uses AI to detect software vulnerabilities.
- AISLE was founded by former Avast CEO Ondrej Vlcek, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic.
Canadian AI firm Cohere announced on Thursday, October 15, 2026, that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire AISLE, a US-based cybersecurity startup specializing in AI-driven vulnerability detection. This move is part of Cohere's broader strategy, including its reported $20 billion merger with Germany's Aleph Alpha, to build a comprehensive AI entity with enhanced security capabilities. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Cohere's presence in Europe, leveraging AISLE's engineering hub in Prague. AISLE, founded in 2025 by former Avast CEO Ondrej Vlcek and co-founders from Google DeepMind and Anthropic, has identified over 500 software bugs in its first year, including critical vulnerabilities in OpenSSL.