The ReadJune 23, 2026via McKinsey Insights
Beyond productivity: How AI creates value in private equity
Why it matters
PE firms are discovering that AI's real value isn't in automating tasks—it's in reshaping business models and market positioning. Companies that treat AI as strategic rather than operational are commanding dramatically higher valuations.
Key signals
- PE-backed companies embracing AI broadly have median revenue multiples 2x+ higher than productivity-focused peers
- McKinsey research on AI value creation in private equity
- Distinction: AI as operational efficiency vs. AI as business model transformation
- Published June 2026 - recent market research
The hook
2x revenue multiples. That's what PE-backed companies get when they go beyond AI productivity plays.
Private equity–backed companies that broadly embrace AI have median revenue multiples more than twice those of companies focused solely on productivity initiatives.