Artificial intelligence is making its clearest inroads into private equity inside the due‑diligence process, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence’s 2026 outlook report.
While AI adoption across fund operations remains limited, “just shy of one in four GPs said AI capabilities were either somewhat or fully integrated into due‑diligence processes,” the report notes. It is also the only area where a meaningful minority see value: 27% of GPs described AI as effective in creating value during diligence, the highest positive score across all operational categories.
Beyond diligence, however, the survey paints a picture of slow and uneven uptake. Majorities of GPs said AI was not at all or only partially integrated into deal sourcing, valuations and modelling, portfolio monitoring, fundraising, and investor reporting. In each of those areas, most respondents rated AI as ineffective, with ineffective scores reaching 75% in both fundraising and portfolio monitoring.
