The investment frenzy surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally reshaping the global map of wealth. According to the 2025 Altrata report, the total wealth of billionaires worldwide reached a record $15.1 trillion, marking a 12.8% increase over the previous year.
The Rise of the 'Superbillionaires'
The gap within the global elite is widening at an unprecedented pace. The report identifies 29 'superbillionaires'—individuals with a net worth exceeding $50 billion—who now control 27% of the total wealth held by all billionaires. The comparison with the past is striking: in 2017, there were only 10 such individuals, representing just 7.2% of the total wealth.
AI as a Performance Catalyst
Artificial Intelligence is proving to be more than just a trend; it is a financial multiplier. An analysis of 150 listed companies revealed that those investing at least $30 million in AI over the last five years outperformed their peers by 23% in terms of market capitalization growth between 2024 and 2025.
Volatility and Regional Dominance
However, this concentration of wealth in the technology sector comes with extreme volatility. Maya Imberg, head of analysis at Altrata, warns that these fortunes follow the 'AI narrative,' leading to staggering daily fluctuations. For instance, Elon Musk saw $18 billion vanish in a single day, while Larry Ellison recorded a $50 billion drop within a week.
Geographically, North America remains the dominant force with 1,337 billionaires (an 11.6% increase), followed by Europe with 1,081 and Asia with 881. Despite geopolitical tensions and trade wars, 2025 proved to be an unusually favorable year for all major asset classes tracked by Altrata.
