The AI Readiness Checklist
for M&A Due Diligence
Quickly assess whether your acquisition target is AI-compatible — and whether AI changes the valuation. 15 critical checks across 5 dimensions, with a built-in scoring rubric.
The Blind Spot
Why AI Readiness Belongs
in Every Deal Memo
AI is no longer a technology question — it's a valuation question. The gap between AI-ready and AI-resistant targets is widening, and traditional diligence doesn't capture it.
72%
of PE-backed companies will deploy AI by 2027
McKinsey Global AI Survey
20–40%
operational cost savings from AI transformation
DiligAI sector benchmarks
$0
is what most deal teams budget for AI diligence today
Industry observation
3–5x
multiple on AI investment for AI-ready acquisitions
Bain PE Operating Report
“The question is no longer will AI impact this business — it's how much is AI worth in this deal, and what does it change about the price?”
This checklist gives your deal team a structured way to answer that question during screening and diligence.
Inside the Checklist
15 Checks Across
5 Critical Dimensions
Each dimension maps directly to a module in our full AI Readiness Report. The checklist gives you the questions — the report gives you the answers.
Management Readiness
- ✓C-suite AI literacy & strategic commitment
- ✓Board-level understanding of AI value creation
- ✓Change management track record & capacity
+ additional checks in full checklist
Tech & Data Readiness
- ✓Data quality, governance & silo assessment
- ✓Cloud readiness & stack modernity audit
- ✓API landscape & integration capability
+ additional checks in full checklist
AI Savings Potential
- ✓Department-level AI automation opportunities
- ✓Labor cost reduction modeling (20-40% benchmarks)
- ✓12-month & 24-month savings scenarios
+ additional checks in full checklist
Implementation Risk
- ✓Tech debt quantification & remediation cost
- ✓Vendor lock-in & migration complexity
- ✓Regulatory exposure (GDPR, AI Act, sector)
+ additional checks in full checklist
Sector Positioning
- ✓AI adoption vs. industry peers & best-in-class
- ✓Disruption risk if AI not adopted within 24 months
- ✓Competitive gap analysis & catch-up cost
+ additional checks in full checklist
Get All 15 Checks
Download the full checklist with scoring rubric and deal-ready formatting.
Download FreeScoring Framework
Four-Tier AI
Readiness Score
Score each checklist item 0–100. The weighted average maps to one of four readiness tiers — each with a clear deal recommendation.
80–100
AI-Ready
High compatibility. AI is a value accelerator. Proceed at current valuation.
60–79
AI-Capable
Solid foundation with gaps. Factor remediation into deal model.
40–59
AI-Developing
Material gaps. AI upside exists but execution risk is high. Deal with conditions.
0–39
AI-Resistant
Structural barriers. Transformation cost may exceed value. Extreme caution.
The full checklist includes weighted scoring instructions and a calculator to generate your composite score.
Download the Checklist
Instant access — no sales call, no credit card required.
Used by deal teams at PE firms, M&A funds, strategy consultancies, and hedge funds evaluating acquisition targets
Go Deeper
The Checklist Asks the Questions.
We Answer Them.
When you need scores, dollar-quantified savings, and a boardroom-ready report — upgrade to our Premium AI Readiness Assessment.
AI Readiness Assessment
$2,999
- Full AI Readiness Framework & Report
- AI Savings Potential — quantified in $
- Board & Leadership AI Score
- Tech & Data Maturity Audit
- AI Transformation Roadmap
- Delivered in 5 business days
Assessment + Expert Advisory
$7,999
- Everything in Tier 1
- 2× 90-min Expert Advisory Sessions
- Board-Ready Presentation Deck
- Financial Projections & Scenarios
- Custom AI Transformation Roadmap
- 30-Day Q&A Support
Embedded AI Expert
$25,000/mo
- Everything in Tier 1 & 2
- Senior AI Expert on Your Team
- Hands-On AI Due Diligence
- Post-Acquisition AI Strategy
- Weekly Leadership Briefings
- 3-month minimum