Global sovereign wealth funds surpass $15 trillion: Why are big capital players betting on technology?

In 2025, the total assets under management (AUM) of global sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) reached a record high of $15 trillion. More notably, these funds controlling massive capital are accelerating their shift toward the technology sector, with investments in AI and digitalization totaling $66 billion. Middle Eastern wealth funds have performed exceptionally well, with a total investment of $126 billion accounting for 43% of global institutional investments, setting a new historical high. This reflects the strategic importance that global major capital places on emerging technologies.

Structural Changes Behind the Record High in Scale

According to the latest report from the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), the $15 trillion AUM has set a historical record. But the significance of this figure lies not only in the growth itself but also in the clear shift in capital flow.

Technology Investment Becomes the New Trend

In 2025, sovereign wealth funds invested a total of $66 billion in AI and digitalization, indicating that traditional SWFs are adjusting their investment strategies. Previously, these funds focused on energy, real estate, infrastructure, and other traditional sectors. Now, the acceleration in technology investments shows that major capital has recognized the decisive impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence on the future economy.

Middle Eastern Wealth Funds’ Leading Role

Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds account for a record-high 43% of global institutional investments. Among them, Mubadala Investment Company leads with $12.9 billion in AI and digitalization investments, clearly indicating a strategic shift by these traditional energy-rich countries.

The Underlying Logic

The Inevitable Diversification of Wealth

Traditional SWFs are mainly established by oil, natural gas, and other energy-exporting countries, with relatively single sources of funds. Now, significantly increasing investments in technology serves both to reduce dependence on the energy sector and to achieve a diversified wealth structure; it also reflects strategic judgment on future economic growth drivers.

Significance of Institutional Capital Signals

As one of the most conservative institutional investors globally, SWFs’ investment decisions often represent long-term capital market outlooks. The $66 billion invested in AI and digitalization indicates that these funds see this direction as a guaranteed growth point for the next decade or even longer. This signal holds important reference value for the entire tech and emerging technology ecosystem.

Summary

The global sovereign wealth funds surpassing $15 trillion in scale essentially reflect the concentration and influence of global capital. More importantly, these funds are actively betting on the future of technology, with a $66 billion investment in AI and digitalization clearly demonstrating that emerging technologies have become a consensus among major global capital. The leading role of Middle Eastern wealth funds and their record-high 43% share further confirm this trend. For investors paying attention to global capital flows, the movements of sovereign wealth funds often preempt structural opportunities in the market.