CNBC·2025-10-02 18:55Group 1 - Major technology companies and private equity firms are preparing for a wave of acquisitions to maintain a competitive edge in the AI sector [1][2] - The regulatory environment is becoming more favorable for acquisitions, facilitating easier deal-making in the tech industry [2] - Recent notable acquisitions include Core Scientific's $9 billion sale of its data center business to CoreWeave, Palo Alto Networks' acquisition of CyberArk valued at $25 billion, and NiCE's plan to buy Cognigy for nearly $1 billion [3] Group 2 - C3.ai and Sandisk are identified as prime targets for mergers and acquisitions, with Apple and IBM expected to be particularly active in pursuing acquisitions to enhance their AI capabilities [4] - Significant consolidation in the AI sector is anticipated over the next 5-10 years, as larger tech companies and financial buyers seek to acquire niche AI use cases to meet growing demand [5]