AI Has Moved From Experimentation to Execution in M&A

For much of the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) felt like a future-state ambition — something to test at the margins and discuss in panels while core deal processes remained unchanged. Along the way, that narrative changed with the advent of general artificial intelligence (GenAI). A quiet line has been crossed, and savvy dealmakers are seeing the benefits of the technology.

SS&C Intralinks’ H2 2026 Global M&A Dealmakers Sentiment Report, reveals just how far that shift has progressed. According to over 400 dealmakers surveyed who work in advisory, corporate development and private equity, 40 percent of their organizations have integrated AI across most deal stages, while only 17 percent say their AI usage remains limited to experimental projects. This is a clear signal that the market has moved decisively from exploration to execution.

What’s more, as AI becomes embedded in deal execution, dealmakers are becoming more selective about the technology they use. Attention is shifting toward AI solutions purposefully designed for financial workflows, reflecting a growing recognition that generic tools often fall short in complex M&A environments.

Why off-the-shelf AI is no longer enough

Early enthusiasm for general-purpose large language models (LLMs) helped deal teams recognize AI’s ability to accelerate everyday tasks, especially during due diligence. But as AI has moved from isolated use cases into active deal execution, the limitations of generic models in highly structured M&A environments have become more and more apparent.

In a competitive landscape where speed, precision and security are critical, dealmakers are gravitating toward AI solutions built specifically for financial services — solutions that align with their unique workflows and the regulatory and data requirements that govern them.

As a result, our research shows organizations are increasingly adopting intelligent, AI-powered dealmaking platforms such as Intralinks DealCentre AI, which helps teams work faster and more effectively across every phase of the deal lifecycle.

According to our report’s findings, nearly seven in ten organizations now use AI products designed specifically for the finance industry as part of their dealmaking process, outpacing reliance on generic or lightly customized tools.

Where finance-specific AI delivers a real edge

Surveyed dealmakers report that purpose-built financial AI solutions are delivering the greatest impact across the deal lifecycle, outperforming generic tools like ChatGPT or Gemini. Designed with deal processes in mind, finance-specific AI embeds industry knowledge directly into the technology, supporting the reality of complex, time-sensitive transactions.

From managing vast volumes of sensitive data to coordinating internal and external stakeholders against compressed timelines, AI-powered dealmaking platforms help reduce manual effort, improve consistency and support compliance requirements. Rather than forcing teams to adapt their processes to the technology, these solutions are built to reflect how deals actually get done — something tools designed for broad productivity are not equipped to support.

Why purpose-built platforms matter now

Today’s competitive M&A environment leaves little room for inefficiency. Persistent macroeconomic uncertainty and tighter financing conditions are raising deal execution standards. Likewise, corporate and private equity deals are more complex, data-intensive and collaborative than ever, yet many teams are still navigating them with fragmented tools and manual workflows.

Centralized platforms such as Intralinks DealCentre AI support deal teams operating across geographies by bringing communication and documentation into one place. This makes it easier to share sensitive information securely and keep all stakeholders aligned. With full visibility across the deal pipeline, teams can manage multiple transactions at once and make better-informed decisions using AI-driven insights.

Automation is equally critical. Within DealCentre AI, AI-driven document intelligence and workflow automation help reduce manual effort, streamline coordination and maintain momentum in volatile markets. Capabilities such as intelligent document summarization, simplified Q&A and faster access to key information allow deal teams to focus on judgment and execution rather than administrative tasks. Rather than layering AI on top of existing systems, DealCentre AI embeds these capabilities directly into the deal lifecycle.

The question dealmakers can’t avoid

AI has crossed the adoption line in M&A. Some deal teams are already operating on the other side of it, using purpose-built, finance-specific, AI-powered technology. For them, AI is already woven into how deals get done. Others are still relying on tools that struggle to keep pace, making it harder to stay organized and keep teams aligned.

As more teams make that shift, the opportunity is there to operate with greater clarity and control as market expectations continue to rise.

For a deeper look at how AI adoption, technology choices and execution strategies are reshaping global dealmaking, explore the full H2 2026 Global M&A Dealmakers Sentiment Report.