Private Equity Prioritizes AI and M&A for Value Creation, 2026 Survey

FTI Consulting’s 2026 Private Equity Value Creation Index, based on responses from more than 550 private‑equity decision makers, shows that artificial intelligence is accelerating value creation, with 66 % of respondents reporting measurable benefits within 12 months, up from 34 % a year earlier. At the same time, mergers and acquisitions have risen to become the sector’s primary value‑creation lever: 24 % now cite M&A as their main driver, up from 7 % in 2025, and 51 % say M&A outcomes exceeded their targets, although execution remains a challenge, with only 35 % rating it as effective.

A parallel analysis of AI‑related investment opportunities highlights several hardware bottlenecks that are turning into lucrative prospects. Demand for high‑bandwidth memory (HBM) is outstripping supply, creating a multi‑year order backlog. CPUs are regaining prominence as AI workloads become more autonomous, with the addressable market projected to exceed $120 billion by 2030. Data‑center interconnects are shifting from copper to fiber‑optic and co‑packaged optics, while power‑delivery requirements are driving growth in silicon‑carbide and gallium‑nitride power semiconductors. The extreme precision required for next‑generation chip manufacturing limits the number of capable suppliers, granting them significant pricing power. These constraints are identified as major investment opportunities for firms seeking to capitalize on the AI super‑cycle.