Private market General Partners (GPs) are increasingly prioritizing investments in artificial intelligence (AI), yet data readiness remains a significant barrier to execution, according to findings from the 2026 General Partners (GPs) Outlook Survey released by Allvue Systems.
The survey, conducted by Allvue Systems, a technology provider for private capital markets, in partnership with Crisil Coalition Greenwich, involved interviews with 102 senior investment and operations leaders across private equity, private credit, and venture capital firms in North America and Europe. It revealed that while AI is now a top technology priority for 2026, less than a quarter of firms rate themselves above the industry average in AI adoption. The majority identified fragmented data, lack of expertise, limited integration, compliance concerns, and manual processes as persistent obstacles to achieving impact with AI.
Only 8% of firms reported high data maturity, defined as well-organized, integrated, and reliable data. This contrasts with nearly two-thirds of respondents who found the ability to query data across systems and functions to be extremely or very valuable. These findings collectively suggest that without robust systems and integrated data foundations, AI investments struggle to translate into operational efficiency and scalable performance.
GPs are facing increased pressure for greater speed and transparency, particularly in a competitive environment where capital acquisition is challenging and expectations for value creation are rising. Sixty-five percent of respondents believe advanced technology will have the greatest impact on their operations over the next 12 months, with 62% anticipating prominent investment in AI for their technology decisions.
Key factors limiting or blocking AI adoption include limited internal expertise among users (64%), accuracy or reliability concerns (59%), and compliance concerns (38%). These challenges are compounded by constrained technical resources, as well as the cost and complexity of implementation.
Ivan Latanision, Chief Product Officer at Allvue, stated, “Our 2026 GP survey shows that firms want to do far more with their data and use AI to streamline workflows, but many are being held back by limited data maturity. That gap is now a competitive issue. To close it, GPs and LPs must invest strategically in data platforms and integrations that embed AI-driven intelligence into day-to-day workflows and convert data investment into measurable operating and performance gains.”
Firms continue to struggle with consistency, visibility, and measurement across their portfolios. Almost two-thirds of respondents (65%) cited inconsistent reporting from portfolio companies as a core challenge, and half (51%) reported a limited ability to track value creation in a standardized way across their portfolios.
Respondents identified the need for more robust datasets and advanced analytical capabilities as priorities. These include leveraging high-quality benchmark data, flexible and customizable dashboards, predictive analytics for forward-looking decisions, and valuation tools to enhance consistency and confidence in portfolio assessments.
The survey also highlighted a positive correlation: firms with high or very high data maturity were twice as likely to report investment returns well above average over the past 12 months compared to GPs with average data maturity. This underscores the importance of strong data foundations for scaling AI and operating with precision.
Dmitri Sedov, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Allvue Systems, commented, “This data makes clear that AI outcomes are being shaped long before models are deployed. Firms with strong data maturity are better positioned to apply analytics with confidence, and deliver more useful insights to internal and external audiences. These foundations enable speed, consistency, and better investment decisions at scale. Without them, AI remains an experiment rather than a performance driver.”
Significant work is required to connect data, ensure consistency, and enable data flow across systems. A structural constraint identified across the industry is the ongoing reliance on spreadsheets, with 56% of respondents reporting dependence on Excel despite investments in purpose-built systems. This reliance contributes to challenging workloads driven by manual processes, reported by 70% of firms.
Organizations also face challenges in integrating data across internal systems, alongside staffing constraints and the operational complexity of managing increasingly complex fund structures. These findings emphasize that without reducing Excel dependence and improving system integration, firms will struggle to translate AI investment into operational impact.
Kevin McPartland, Head of Market Structure and Technology Research at Crisil Coalition Greenwich, added, “Insights from GPs show that AI ambition in the private markets industry is widespread, but data readiness has not kept pace. That imbalance is becoming unsustainable. With six in ten firms rating their data maturity as only average and almost a third rating it low, many GPs and LPs are deploying AI into environments that are not yet built to support scale, consistency, or reliable returns on investment.”
Allvue Systems will host an expert panel on March 4 at 11:00 am ET to discuss the survey results, focusing on data, AI, operational efficiency, and growth within the private markets.
Allvue Systems provides actionable insights, benchmarks, and automation through an AI-powered platform designed to unify data and streamline workflows across the private investment lifecycle. Managing over $8.5 trillion in assets across 21,000 funds and serving 500 clients, Allvue aims to enhance transparency, connectivity, and efficiency in private markets. Headquartered in Miami, Allvue operates across North America, Europe, and India, serving alternative investment managers, including private equity, private debt, public credit managers, fund administrators, and banks.
