AI in private markets: accelerating adoption in 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a concept in alternative assets but actively transforming the industry. Which trends will shape AI adoption in 2025, and how can private markets firms use the technology to gain a competitive edge in legal processes, dealmaking, and beyond?  

Robin AI’s latest report explores how AI is shaping private markets and outlines the key strategies that private markets firms will need to stay ahead.  

Private markets AI budgets face a reality check

Over the past two years, some private markets firms have invested heavily in AI. Now, 2025 marks a turning point. The focus is shifting from exploration to execution, revealing which firms have successfully laid the groundwork for AI to drive measurable return on investment. This year, AI will prove its ability to help firms manage vast amounts of documentation, streamline workflows, and make faster, more informed decisions.  

“2024 was the year when companies that weren’t involved in AI realized they should have been involved,” said Paul Loynes, Legal Consultant and former General Counsel and Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers. “Those who got a head start are now working together with their AI providers to ask the question, ‘What more can we do?’”  

AI as the catalyst for five core business goals

In an increasingly complex economic landscape, AI is becoming a strategic necessity. Firms that successfully integrate AI will enhance their ability to quickly make accurate decisions, to improve their operational efficiency, and adhere to increased regulatory compliance. They’ll have more time to build stronger client and investor relationships and be able to use data-driven insights built of vast repositories of data to make smarter investment decisions.  

From fundraising to portfolio management, AI will play a crucial role in streamlining document review, accelerating mergers and acquisitions, optimizing portfolio performance, and improving compliance tracking. Whether applied to due diligence questionnaires, Limited Partner onboarding, or Most Favored Nation elections, AI can reduce administrative burdens, allowing professionals to focus on high-value strategic initiatives.  

The role of human oversight in AI adoption

AI is a powerful tool, but its greatest impact comes when paired with human expertise. The most forward-thinking firms are adopting a human-in-the-loop approach, leveraging AI’s speed and analytical power while maintaining human oversight to ensure accuracy, mitigate bias, and provide strategic judgment. This approach balances efficiency with risk management and fosters greater confidence in AI adoption.  

The key to AI success: a targeted and practical approach

AI implementation does not need to be complex. Firms that take a focused approach in identifying specific problems AI can solve, can demonstrate quick wins to their team, and can get buy-in from their colleagues will see the greatest long-term impact.  

For a deeper analysis of AI’s role in private markets and how to implement the technology across all phases of the fundraising lifecycle, download our latest report AI in Private Markets.  

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