Milan, May 13–14, 2025. This year’s AI Week confirmed something Winnerge has known for a while: artificial intelligence is no longer a topic for futurists. It is a practical tool, already embedded in the daily workflow of those managing extraordinary transactions.

For the second year in a row, we joined the event not to chase the next big thing, but to engage with those who are developing the technologies we already use. Our goal was not to be impressed by innovation, but to understand how to leverage it even better to build faster, stronger and more effective M&A deals.

AI is no longer theory, it is a working tool.

There was a time when mentioning artificial intelligence in an M&A context sounded like a provocation. That time has passed. Today, tools such as predictive analysis, target clustering, scenario simulation and strategic scoring are part of our standard operations. We are not talking about automating the M&A process, but about improving the quality and speed of decision-making.

AI Week 2025 highlighted how these tools are becoming increasingly accessible, especially for companies operating in the SME space. For us, it is confirmation that the market is aligning with an approach we have already been applying for years.

Deal sourcing. Intuition still matters, but the rules have changed.

One of the most relevant topics at the event was how AI is reshaping the way companies identify acquisition targets. In the past, deal sourcing relied mostly on networks and personal experience. Today, it is enhanced by models that detect weak signals, cross-check public and private data, and segment the market in real time.

Intuition still plays a key role, but now it stands on a much stronger, data-backed foundation. In a market where timing can be just as important as the quality of the opportunity, these tools offer a real competitive edge.

Post-acquisition planning. More simulation, less guesswork.

Artificial intelligence is also becoming a valuable tool in the development of post-deal industrial plans. It does not replace the experience of those who lead a transaction, but supports it with advanced simulations, sensitivity analyses and comparisons between strategic scenarios.

In practice, it means arriving at the closing table with greater awareness and fewer blind spots. This is especially important when dealing with complex operations or heterogeneous company profiles.

Why Winnerge was at AI Week

At Winnerge, we operate exclusively in the M&A field. Participating in AI Week 2025 was a natural step in our journey. For years, we have been using AI-powered tools to improve analysis, speed up decision-making and bring greater clarity to the process.

Compared to the 2024 edition, this year’s event showed greater maturity. Less hype, more focus on real scalability and concrete application, particularly in SME-driven environments. That is exactly the context where we work, and where these tools make a real difference.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence does not replace strategy. It makes it more robust. It helps you move faster, with greater clarity and on a stronger foundation. In a market full of opportunities, but with increasingly tighter margins for error, AI is not a future option. It is already a competitive advantage.

For those of us who work closely with entrepreneurs on complex transactions, one thing is clear. AI is not the future of M&A. It is already the present.