A new Deloitte report, the “2025 GenAI in M&A Survey,” reveals that 86% of corporate and private equity leaders in the U.S. have integrated Generative AI (GenAI) into their M&A workflows, with 65% doing so within the past year. The survey, which included 1,000 senior executives across major industries, highlights strong momentum in AI-driven dealmaking, as organizations explore the technology’s potential to improve decision-making, identify new value sources, and drive post-deal synergies.
Deloitte’s Erik Dilger noted that while adoption remains concentrated in pre-sign activities such as M&A strategy, target identification, and due diligence, dealmakers are already preparing for broader applications throughout the transaction lifecycle.
The study also finds rising financial commitment toward GenAI investments, with 83% of respondents allocating $1 million or more to support M&A teams. Most organizations expect measurable returns on these investments within one to three years, reflecting growing confidence in AI’s business impact. However, concerns around 67% data security and 65% data quality remain key challenges. The findings indicate that while dealmakers are optimistic about GenAI’s potential, future success will depend on balancing technological advancement with robust data governance and strategic oversight.
