Direct investment opportunities are shaping the next phase of the artificial intelligence revolution and redefining access to one of the most transformative technologies of our time, according to a recent article published on Forbes.com by Thomas Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP®, founder and CEO of Destiny Family Office and Destiny Wealth Partners.

In the article, titled "The Role of Direct Investment Opportunities in the AI Revolution," Ruggie explores why private, direct investments in AI companies are increasingly appealing to family offices, institutional investors, and high-net-worth individuals seeking exposure beyond public markets and broad-based technology funds.

• What are the key benefits of direct investment opportunities in AI compared to traditional public market investments?
• How can investors balance the risks and rewards when participating in direct AI company investments?
• In what ways are secondary transactions and syndicated deals changing access to private AI investment opportunities?
• Why might family offices and ultra-high-net-worth investors favor direct AI investments over ETFs or public equities?
• What structural and strategic considerations should investors keep in mind when constructing direct AI investment deals?

Ruggie explains that while public equities offer familiarity and liquidity, they often capture AI value only after much of the exponential growth has already occurred. Direct investments, by contrast, can provide earlier access to innovation, greater alignment with company leadership, and the potential for outsized returns, albeit with increased complexity and risk.

The article also highlights how evolving deal structures, including syndicated investments and secondary transactions, are expanding access to private AI opportunities that were once reserved for a narrow group of venture capital firms. These mechanisms, Ruggie notes, are helping investors participate in the AI ecosystem without committing to full-scale venture funds or sacrificing diversification.

Drawing on his experience advising ultra-high-net-worth families, Ruggie emphasizes the importance of disciplined underwriting, rigorous due diligence, and thoughtful portfolio construction when evaluating AI investments. He cautions that enthusiasm for the technology must be balanced with realistic assessments of execution risk, valuation, liquidity constraints, and long-term capital commitments.