Scott Logic: Insights shaping the technology landscape in Private Equity in H1

Source URL: https://blog.scottlogic.com/2025/07/09/insights-shaping-private-equity-tech-h1.html
Source: Scott Logic
Title: Insights shaping the technology landscape in Private Equity in H1

Feedly Summary: A roundup of themes we’re seeing in Private Equity technology, and some recommended resources.

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses three critical themes impacting the technology and investment sectors, with a focus on legacy systems modernization, responsible AI practices, and the evolution of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies. The insights highlight the growing relevance of data professionals and the need for sustainable AI operations, which are essential for security and compliance professionals in AI and infrastructure.

Detailed Description:
The text outlines three prominent themes identified in the technology and investment sectors during the first half of the year:

1. **Legacy Technology and Data**
– There is a significant emphasis on modernizing legacy systems, which is essential for operational efficiency and data management.
– Private Equity (PE) firms are prioritizing the hiring of data professionals to enhance legacy systems and data usage.
– The transformation driven by these technologies is not only about adopting AI but also leveraging historical data more effectively.

2. **Responsible AI: Balancing Innovation with Impact**
– There’s growing concern regarding the environmental impact of AI technologies, particularly with an anticipated 160% increase in data center power demand.
– The challenge remains in quantifying AI’s environmental footprint due to a lack of transparency from service providers.
– Practical steps for responsible AI usage are suggested, such as:
– Choosing appropriate AI models based on tasks.
– Efficient prompting strategies.
– Designing with sustainability as a factor in AI deployment.
– The reference to a blog post discussing a more nuanced approach to Generative AI emphasizes the diverse techniques available to implement AI responsibly.

3. **ESG in Practice: From Policy to Product**
– The shift in focus from ESG policy formulation to practical applications demonstrates the urgency felt by PE firms amid geopolitical events.
– There is a concerted effort to streamline ESG data collection and reporting processes, emphasizing the need to exceed mere compliance.
– A pertinent question raised is whether SaaS platforms can effectively communicate their own social and environmental impacts to end-users, drawing a connection to the accountability that organizations must now consider.

**Recommendations**
– The text includes suggestions for further reading and listening, highlighting discussions on AI’s energy usage, climate impact, and responsible computing practices.
– An invitation to a relevant event suggests active engagement with industry professionals, hinting at the growing networking opportunities to share insights on these themes.

This information is significant for security and compliance professionals as it highlights the intersections between traditional systems, modern AI practices, and the emerging focus on ESG, urging them to adopt best practices for governance and operational impacts.