Technology companies have ensured that at least one dealmaking record has fallen in 2025. Data compiled by Bloomberg shows that the value of all transactions in the sector has surpassed $1 trillion in a single calendar year for the first time, breaking the previous record set in 2021.
The milestone comes on the back of massive bets on artificial intelligence.
IBM added to the surge on Monday, announcing an agreement to acquire data-infrastructure company Confluent for $11 billion, including debt. The deal is one of IBM’s largest ever and aligns with CEO Arvind Krishna’s AI-first strategy.
Companies and investors have been pouring money into positioning themselves for a global economy increasingly shifting from human-driven to machine-driven operations. This transition is accelerating the development of a sprawling ecosystem that includes software makers, generative-AI tool providers, data-management firms, and data-center operators.
Sam Altman’s OpenAI has secured major investments this year from SoftBank and Nvidia to support new data-center buildouts, while a group led by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners agreed to buy Aligned Data Centers in a $40 billion deal.
Meanwhile, Google framed its $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity firm Wiz in March as a move to help customers secure their systems in the AI era. A similar AI-driven logic underpinned Palo Alto Networks’ $25 billion takeover of CyberArk Software in July.
With momentum still building, dealmakers are increasingly confident that 2026 could set yet another record for global technology transaction values.
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