Artificial intelligence (AI) has been steadily transforming the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape, but a new wave of innovation is pushing the boundaries even further. Enter agentic AI, a form of artificial intelligence that doesn’t just assist dealmakers but acts autonomously to execute complex tasks across the deal lifecycle.

While generative AI has helped professionals draft emails, summarize documents, and analyze datasets, agentic AI goes a step further. It perceives, reasons, acts, and learns without needing constant human prompts. This evolution is poised to redefine how deals are sourced, evaluated, and executed.

A shift in intelligence

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude have become staples in the M&A toolkit, offering productivity boosts and data insights. But they rely on human input to function. Agentic AI, on the other hand, operates independently. It can:

• Identify acquisition targets based on dynamic criteria
• Conduct real-time market analysis and risk assessments
• Automate due diligence by reviewing documents and flagging anomalies
• Manage post-merger integration, tracking milestones and cultural alignment

This autonomy allows dealmakers to move faster, make smarter decisions, and reduce the manual burden of repetitive tasks.

Real-world applications in M&A

According to Grata, agentic AI is already making an impact for dealmakers in several areas:

• Business development: AI agents scan millions of data points to surface high-quality leads before competitors even know they exist.
• Deal sourcing: Autonomous systems monitor market signals, news, and financial data to identify potential targets aligned with strategic goals
• Due diligence: AI reviews contracts, financials, and compliance documents, flagging risks and inconsistencies in minutes
• Valuation modelling: Agentic AI updates models in real time based on new data, offering dynamic insights into deal value
• Integration planning: AI helps align operations, track KPIs, and even assess cultural fit between merging organizations.

But that’s not all. A recent survey from Sourcescrub reveals that nearly half of dealmakers now use AI tools daily, with 76% citing efficiency and time savings as their primary goals. But agentic AI isn’t just about speed; it’s about strategic intelligence. These systems can simulate scenarios, evaluate outcomes, and recommend actions tailored to each deal’s unique context. This means dealmakers can spend less time on manual research and more time on high-value strategic thinking.

Challenges and considerations

Despite its promise, agentic AI isn’t plug-and-play. It requires:

• High-quality training data: Annotated, structured data is essential for reliable outputs
• Robust data governance: Privacy, compliance, and ethical use must be prioritized
• Organizational readiness: Teams need to be AI-fluent and open to new workflows

Firms that invest in these foundations will be best positioned to harness agentic AI’s full potential. And companies like Grata, Datasite, and Blueflame AI are leading the charge, building platforms that combine investment-grade data with intelligent automation. As agentic AI continues to evolve, it’s redefining the M&A process.

For dealmakers, the message is clear: the future isn’t just digital, it’s autonomous. And those who embrace agentic AI today will be the ones shaping the deals of tomorrow.

See it in action

Ready to discover how AI can help you on your next deal? Request a demo to see how AI can transform the way you work.