Global Sovereign Wealth Funds Hit $15T as AI Bets Surge

Global sovereign wealth funds achieved a historic milestone in 2025, with total assets under management rising to a record $15 trillion, according to a new report by Global SWF. Strong global market performance and aggressive investments in technology played a key role in this growth.

The report highlights that sovereign-owned investors collectively invested $66 billion in artificial intelligence and digitalisation during 2025. Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds emerged as the biggest drivers of this trend. Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company topped the list with $12.9 billion invested in AI and digital sectors, followed by the Kuwait Investment Authority with $6 billion and the Qatar Investment Authority with $4 billion.

The Middle East further strengthened its dominance in global sovereign investments. The region’s seven major Gulf wealth funds accounted for 43% of total global sovereign capital deployment, investing $126 billion, the highest share ever recorded.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) stood out as the largest single dealmaker of 2025, committing $36.2 billion. However, a significant portion of this figure came from its participation in the acquisition of Electronic Arts Inc.

Excluding that deal, Mubadala emerged as the most active sovereign wealth fund of the year, investing a record $32.7 billion across 40 transactions, reflecting its broad-based global investment strategy.

The report notes that sovereign investors—including public pension funds—benefited from strong returns across fixed income, public equities, real estate, and infrastructure in 2025, further expanding their global influence.

By assets under management, the United States led globally with $13.2 trillion, followed by China at $8.2 trillion, and the UAE at $2.9 trillion.

In terms of investment destinations, the US remained the top choice, attracting $131.8 billion in sovereign investments during 2025, nearly double the $68.9 billion recorded the previous year. In contrast, investments into China declined sharply, falling to $4.3 billion from $10.3 billion in 2024.

Overall, the Global SWF report underscores how sovereign wealth funds are increasingly shaping global capital flows, with technology and AI investments—particularly from the Middle East—playing a central role in their long-term strategies.