Public Funds Shape the Global Economy with Artificial Intelligence Investments

According to a new report published by PwC, sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds around the world are accelerating their investments in artificial intelligence and infrastructure, shifting their roles in the global economy from passive participants to active 'anchor investors'.

According to PwC's study analyzing the world's 350 largest public investors, the total assets of sovereign wealth funds are projected to increase by approximately 50% to $22.4 trillion by 2030. During the same period, public pension funds are expected to reach $36.3 trillion, and central bank assets are expected to reach $20.9 trillion. Eric Janson, PwC's Global Private Equity and Anchor Investors Leader, stated that these institutions are now initiating transactions themselves and taking controlling positions.

A high concentration in capital allocation is notable; the top 10 institutions hold 41% of total assets. In 2025, approximately $66 billion in state investment was directed toward artificial intelligence and digitalization. While a large portion of this capital flowed to the United States, the amount of investment going to China fell to approximately $4 billion.

Gulf country funds are determining their strategic preferences in different ways. Funds such as the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Abu Dhabi-based MGX and ADIA are directing their investments primarily to the US, while Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is pursuing a strategy that focuses more on the domestic market.