The Decision Layer™ · AI Due Diligence™

Know what you are really buying before you inherit the downside.

Separate durable AI value from supplier dependency, weak data rights, unsupported claims and hidden transaction exposure before capital is committed.

The transaction challenge

The target says it is AI-native. The investment question is what that claim is actually worth.

A compelling AI story can still depend on one supplier, uncertain data rights, fragile prompts, unsupported performance claims or governance that exists mainly in the pitch deck.

Core transformation: Move from an AI narrative to a claim-to-evidence position that shows what creates value, what creates liability and what should change the deal.

The transformation you buy
Before diligence
  • AI claims are embedded in the growth story.
  • Proprietary value and third-party dependency are difficult to separate.
  • Data rights, model provenance and vendor terms are not fully understood.
  • Cyber, regulatory and resilience exposure sit outside the valuation narrative.
  • Integration assumptions have not been tested against operating reality.
After diligence
  • Material AI claims are traced to evidence.
  • Dependencies and concentration are visible.
  • Regulatory, contractual, data and security exposure are explicit.
  • Red flags are translated into value-at-risk and management questions.
  • Deal conditions, protections and Day 1/100 priorities are clearer.
What the diligence tests

Value claims

Whether claimed AI capability is real, repeatable and material to the thesis.

Data rights

Whether the target can lawfully and sustainably use the data underpinning value.

Models & vendors

Which capabilities are proprietary, licensed, concentrated or difficult to replace.

Security & privacy

Whether AI introduces material cyber, privacy or control exposure.

Regulatory exposure

Which obligations, contracts or operating assumptions could affect the thesis.

Resilience & integration

What could fail after close and what must be addressed on Day 1 or Day 100.

How the work moves
1 · ClaimIdentify the AI claims that materially affect value or liability.
2 · EvidenceTrace each material claim to product, data, governance and vendor evidence.
3 · GapIdentify unsupported claims, dependencies and control weaknesses.
4 · ExposureTranslate gaps into value, liability, resilience and integration consequences.
5 · Deal actionConvert exposure into questions, conditions, protections and priorities.
What you receive
Claim-to-evidence reviewMaterial AI claims traced across product, governance, data, security and vendors.
Exposure positionRegulatory, contractual, data, cyber and resilience issues made explicit.
Dependency mapAI vendor, model and concentration exposure that can affect continuity or value.
Red flagsThe issues most likely to alter valuation, negotiation or integration priorities.
Deal questionsManagement questions, value-at-risk scenarios and areas for specialist follow-up.
Transaction actionsInput to reps, warranties, closing conditions and Day 1/100 priorities.
Who it is for

For investors and deal teams where AI claims affect value, liability or integration risk.

Private equity

Test whether the AI thesis creates durable value or hidden dependency.

Investment committees

Bring a decision-grade AI position into approval rather than a technology narrative.

Corporate development

Identify AI exposure that can change valuation, integration or the operating model.

General Counsel

Surface issues that need legal interpretation without confusing governance review with legal advice.

Lenders

Understand whether AI dependencies materially alter operational or financial resilience.

M&A advisers

Add focused AI evidence to a wider transaction workstream.

Scope & investment

Red-flag scan

Ten-day focused diligence.

From £25,000

Full diligence

Broader evidence and exposure review.

From £55,000

Complex transaction

Cross-border or complex transaction scope.

From £85,000+

Start with the claim

Which AI claim would materially change the deal if it proved weaker than expected?

Bring the investment thesis, the target claims, and the evidence currently available. The diligence starts there.

Start a confidential diligence enquiry Back to AI Services
AI Due Diligence™ · Know what you are buying before the downside becomes yours. · thedecisionlayer.online