By 
AI reshapes TMT landscape: Global M&A value jumps 76% to $903 billion
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become the central force reshaping mergers and acquisitions in the technology, media, and telecom (TMT) sector. Global deal value surged 76% in 2025 to $903 billion, with AI-related transactions alone reaching $117 billion.
RELATED: Top risks: Causes of loss and growth drivers for TMT sector
What was once a speculative technology is now driving investment decisions, partnerships, and acquisitions in the TMT sector as companies race to secure AI capabilities, according to GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
Among 2025’s Top 100 Deals, AI Dominates as Second-Leading Theme
GlobalData’s latest report, “Global TMT M&A Deals 2025 – Top Themes and Predictions: Strategic Intelligence,” highlights that AI was the second-largest theme among the top 100 deals, reflecting 125% growth from the previous year.
The total global TMT M&A deal value grew by 76% from $514 billion in 2024 to $903 billion in 2025. Similar trend was observed in deal volume, which totaled 573 deals in 2025, up 12% from 2024.
Priya Toppo, Strategic Intelligence Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Strategic investments and partnerships are increasingly focused on AI-enabled platforms, cutting-edge AI-centric data centers, innovative generative AI solutions, and leading AI chip companies. This shift underscores a powerful commitment to harness the transformative potential of AI across industries.”
The biggest AI deal was x.ai’s acquisition of X (Twitter) for $45 billion. It was followed by Microsoft and Nvidia’s acquisition of a minority stake in Anthropic for $15 billion and Meta Platforms’ acquisition of 49% stake in Scale AI for $14 billion.
Application software drives majority of TMT M&A activity
Toppo continues: “A significant amount of TMT M&A deal activity was driven by the application software sector, accounting for $169 billion across 176 deals. This was followed by the music, film & TV, telecom services, semiconductors, and enterprise security software sectors.”
By studying the themes that are currently driving the M&A market, the report also identifies potential future acquisition targets along with their thematic rationale.
Toppo concludes: “The TMT sector experienced an increase in M&A activity in 2025; however, deal activity in 2026 is anticipated to remain sluggish.
“While macroeconomic conditions and regulatory factors may impact the pace of transactions, there is a continuing structural shift toward AI-centric transformation, which is evolving in both scale and strategic intent within the TMT landscape.”
