How AI Is Democratizing M&A For Buyers And Investors

Tech-based rationales for deals open the door to more players and competition from unexpected quarters. The deal process must adapt.

Key points

• AI is already making the deal process faster and more flexible: 90% of dealmakers have used AI in M&A processes so far in 2026, with 49% deploying it for elements of the deal close – up from 29% in 2025.
• The collation, analysis and reporting on DD has been massively accelerated. Although the need for human oversight and judgment remains critical, the fact it’s applied to more granular data massively reduces deal risk, providing human oversight is properly targeted.
• Private capital is leading the way, but faster, more efficient deals can benefit whole segments of the market that had considered M&A off-limits before.