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Goldman Sachs highlights a growing trend among family offices to increase investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, despite global economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
According to responses from 245 family office decision-makers managing significant assets, 86% have deployed capital into AI-related ventures. This group shows a strong preference for technology sectors, with 58% expecting to maintain an overweight position in technology investments over the next year.
Ken Hirsch, Co-Chairman of the Global Technology, Media & Telecom Group and Co-Head of the One Goldman Sachs Family Office Initiative, stated, “Family offices are embracing AI both as an investment theme and as a tool to sharpen their own processes.”
The appeal of AI is not only in direct investments but also in secondary beneficiaries like data centres and venture capital funds specialising in breakthrough innovations. This reflects a strategic focus on both immediate and future growth opportunities within the tech ecosystem.
Meena Flynn, Co-Head of Global Private Wealth Management and Co-Head of One Goldman Sachs, pointed out the unique capacity family offices possess for long-term investments. “The inherent flexibility and enduring capital of family offices enables them to lean into investing in areas of innovation. They are able to act as first movers when opportunities arise, stay invested through drawdowns, and invest for the long-term in unique assets,” she explained, adding, “Free from external investors, they can also pursue investments that may take a decade or more to mature, while also aligning with deeply held family values.”
Beyond AI and technology, family offices are also diversifying into emerging asset classes such as digital assets and secondaries, alongside their continued exposure to public equities and private credit. This balanced approach aims to manage risk while capturing higher potential returns amid market volatility.
Sara Naison-Tarajano, Global Head of Apex and Private Wealth Management Capital Markets and Co-Head of the One Goldman Sachs Family Office Initiative, highlighted the strategic patience of family offices: “Family offices’ patient capital allows them to invest at the forefront of innovation and many of our clients have the sophistication to invest directly in private placements and other bespoke opportunities.”
This trend of leveraging patient capital to engage in technology-driven sectors offers family offices a way to navigate market dislocations and geopolitical tensions while maintaining a focus on innovation-led growth.
