The first session of the M&A Academy 2026 explored how AI and cyber risks are reshaping board decision making, deal dynamics and governance expectations. With technological developments advancing faster than traditional oversight models, boards are being pushed to develop new capabilities and a deeper understanding of how AI affects value, risk and long term strategy.
AI is reshaping the strategic landscape
AI is developing at extraordinary speed, moving rapidly from experimental applications to systems that sit at the core of business operations. Advances in foundation models, autonomous agents and automated workflows are influencing how organisations compete and how they structure their internal processes. For boards, this means building greater familiarity with AI’s potential and its implications for compliance, investment decisions and organisational resilience. AI literacy is becoming essential for effective oversight.
