Workday shares spiked about 20% before trading was halted, following a Reuters report that private equity firm Silver Lake is in talks to acquire the software provider. The surge comes amid a turbulent year for Workday, whose stock has plummeted on concerns that artificial intelligence could disrupt its business. Bloomberg confirmed the Reuters report, noting that Workday shares jumped after the news broke. The potential deal, if completed, would represent a major takeover of a company that has been struggling to convince investors of its growth prospects in the face of AI-driven competition. Neither Workday nor Silver Lake has officially commented on the reported negotiations. Trading in Workday shares was temporarily suspended as the market reacted to the news.