Inside Alts: EQT's Salata says AI infrastructure buildout has years to run

Summary

Jean Eric Salata, Chair of EQT, discusses the firm's bullish outlook on AI infrastructure, stating the buildout is in early stages with years to run. He highlights EQT's investments in data centers (EdgeConnex) and the take-private of AES for energy assets. He also talks about EQT's global diversification strategy and the opportunity in the secondaries market.

• EQT is investing more in AI infrastructure across data centers, energy assets, and battery storage.
• Salata believes the AI infrastructure buildout is in very early stages and has years to run.
• EQT announced the take-private of AES as part of its AI energy strategy.
• Salata notes that real demand supports AI infrastructure, unlike the dot-com bubble.
• EQT is expanding its U.S. presence and sees an edge in global connectivity for tech companies.
• The firm was selected to manage the $5 billion Scale Up Europe fund for European innovation.
• Salata sees growing investor interest in global diversification away from U.S.-concentrated portfolios.
• Secondaries are viewed as an early-stage opportunity with alpha potential, not yet crowded.