Odd Lots · Saturday, September 19, 2026
Gene Sykes believes AI will enhance the M&A business by providing faster access to better information, leading to more confident judgments and imaginative solutions. While M&A remains a relationship-driven business, AI will empower advisors to synthesize complex variables more effectively and efficiently.
“synthesizing independent variables, it's a gift that many people have. If they're good at this, they will be better at it if they use AI. They'll be faster at getting to conclusions. They'll be more imaginative at saying, well, this is the first data point that I was able to get when I asked this question, but I don't exactly feel confident that's the right answer. Let me go ask the counter question.”
“And so I think people become, it's not that they're becoming smarter, it's if they have access to more information, better information, and that allows them to have more confidence and better judgment. And I actually think it will shape the way everybody in this field provides advice and thinks about what the expectations of the clients are going to be.”