Executive Summary

• AI adoption among dealmakers jumped from 20% in 2023 to 30% in 2025.
• 35% rely on AI-powered databases for deal sourcing, a 167% jump from last year.
• 40% use AI to track industry trends, the top use case in 2025.
• 36% of active acquirers use generative AI compared to 21% overall.

Deals don’t wait, and now, neither do dealmakers. Corporate Development once ran on coffee, spreadsheets, and endless networking dinners. In 2025, artificial intelligence is stepping into the boardroom, reshaping how companies source, value, and execute deals. 

Early adopters are already pulling ahead, and those who wait risk losing the best opportunities.

Why AI Is Becoming the Edge in Corporate Development

Direct deal sourcing is exploding

Networking and intermediaries still matter, but AI-driven sourcing is scaling quickly. Fragmented markets and higher competition are pushing teams to rely on data-backed scouting instead of gut instinct.

AI use cases are maturing

According to the Transaction Advisors Institute, 40% of acquirers use AI to track industry trends and market activity. Market landscape building is catching up. 

Conference planning is still low at 6% but is expected to grow as generative AI tools recommend events and meetings tailored to deal criteria.

Budgets are rising

One in four respondents plan to increase AI spending in 2025, which is double last year. Late adopters risk losing ground while competitors build deeper expertise and smarter pipelines.

Early movers gain performance

Bain’s 2025 M&A Report shows that 36% of active acquirers use generative AI compared to 21% overall. 

These early users close better deals faster and widen the total shareholder return gap compared to less frequent acquirers.

Private equity is already ahead, with over 60% of firms using AI for sourcing, screening, and diligence.

How AI Is Being Used in Corporate Development

Deal sourcing and target scouting: Platforms like SourceScrub and Binocs map markets, monitor companies, and surface hidden acquisition targets.

Due diligence automation: AI tools from Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, and Binocs scan thousands of contracts, filings, and datasets in hours instead of weeks, flagging risks and anomalies that humans often miss.

Predictive valuation and forecasting: Machine learning models forecast future performance, synergies, and market positioning, reducing the risk of overpayment and strengthening bid confidence.

Integration and culture monitoring: Post-merger, AI analyzes employee sentiment to predict cultural clashes while automating ERP and CRM integration.

Conference and relationship optimization: Generative AI tools suggest which conferences to attend, who to meet, and even draft personalized outreach messages, helping Corp Dev teams maximize the value of networking.

“For years, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have relied on relationships, rigorous due diligence and expert judgment. Now, generative AI (GenAI) is starting to add real muscle to that equation.” – Ari Kaplan, AI Meets M&A: Insights From a Dealmakers’ Boot Camp.

The Competitive Wake-Up Call

Corporate Development has always been about information advantage. In 2025, that advantage is no longer about who you know but how fast you know it. Late adopters risk losing deals to faster, AI-powered competitors.

As Bain warns, late movers will be outbid for good deals and stuck too long in bad ones.

Final Word

AI will not replace dealmakers. But it is replacing the slow, manual processes that hold them back. Firms that adopt now will spot opportunities earlier, value smarter, and integrate faster. Those who wait will still be buried in spreadsheets while the market moves on.