AI is re-platforming the economy and forcing existing technology stacks to evolve to fully harness AI’s potential – unlocking opportunities for corporates and sponsors. 

How AI is re-platforming the economy 

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"How AI is re-platforming the economy"

How AI is re-platforming the economy

"AI has fundamentally changed the software and technology paradigm, with three critical vectors driving this evolution. In compute, we have seen a progression from traditional CPU chips to more dynamic and powerful GPUs made by companies like Nvidia – albeit with newer CPUs equipped for targeted and specific AI workloads also emerging. Software, meanwhile, has evolved from application-centric to data-centric design – with data becoming a foundational input for application development.&nbsp;\r\n"

AI has fundamentally changed the software and technology paradigm, with three critical vectors driving this evolution. In compute, we have seen a progression from traditional CPU chips to more dynamic and powerful GPUs made by companies like Nvidia – albeit with newer CPUs equipped for targeted and specific AI workloads also emerging. Software, meanwhile, has evolved from application-centric to data-centric design – with data becoming a foundational input for application development.&nbsp;

"These shifts have produced a complex '3D chessboard' where companies from vastly different backgrounds are competing for leadership in the lucrative enterprise AI market."

These shifts have produced a complex '3D chessboard' where companies from vastly different backgrounds are competing for leadership in the lucrative enterprise AI market.

"Historically, major technology shifts have followed a similar pattern: virtually all financial gains are first captured by semiconductor and hardware companies, but then “blossom” in the infrastructure software layer.\r\n"

Historically, major technology shifts have followed a similar pattern: virtually all financial gains are first captured by semiconductor and hardware companies, but then “blossom” in the infrastructure software layer.

Table and chart demonstrating that in recent technology shifts, financial gains are first captured by semiconductor and hardware companies before “blossoming” in the infrastructure software layer. During the cloud era roughly 60% of value was accrued to infrastructure software.

"Table and chart demonstrating that in recent technology shifts, financial gains are first captured by semiconductor and hardware companies before “blossoming” in the infrastructure software layer. During the cloud era roughly 60% of value was accrued to infrastructure software."

"Today, infrastructure software sits at the heart of this AI re-platforming, bridging innovation in hardware at the bottom of the stack with application development at the top. As in previous eras, infrastructure software will be the next investment horizon following outsized CapEx in AI hardware (e.g., chips) – unlocking significant opportunities as legacy infrastructure markets are redefined and completely new ones emerge.\r\n"

Today, infrastructure software sits at the heart of this AI re-platforming, bridging innovation in hardware at the bottom of the stack with application development at the top. As in previous eras, infrastructure software will be the next investment horizon following outsized CapEx in AI hardware (e.g., chips) – unlocking significant opportunities as legacy infrastructure markets are redefined and completely new ones emerge.

"Enterprise AI could produce the next cutting-edge technology company as model innovations and new inferencing stacks proliferate."

Enterprise AI could produce the next cutting-edge technology company as model innovations and new inferencing stacks proliferate.

"M&amp;A will play a critical role in defining this new era. We expect many smaller AI companies to seek consolidation with larger players, corporates to cement their AI capabilities via opportunistic M&amp;A and financial sponsors to increase their exposure to the re-platforming of our global economy through strategic transactions—creating a dynamic environment ripe for high-impact deals.\r\nAs AI appears to be leveling the playing field, the software and technology ecosystem is rapidly evolving – only scratching the surface of its transformative potential. These shifts are disrupting traditional boundaries, and the subsequent land grab is unfolding in real time.\r\n"

M&amp;A will play a critical role in defining this new era. We expect many smaller AI companies to seek consolidation with larger players, corporates to cement their AI capabilities via opportunistic M&amp;A and financial sponsors to increase their exposure to the re-platforming of our global economy through strategic transactions—creating a dynamic environment ripe for high-impact deals.
As AI appears to be leveling the playing field, the software and technology ecosystem is rapidly evolving – only scratching the surface of its transformative potential. These shifts are disrupting traditional boundaries, and the subsequent land grab is unfolding in real time.

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