New global elite created by AI: Just 29 people control $4.1 trillion, holding 27% of wealth

A new global elite of the super-rich is being forged by artificial intelligence (AI), as the fortunes of the world's most powerful individuals surge alongside the rally in tech stocks. According to a new report by Altrata, the number of billionaires worldwide reached a historic record in 2025, while their aggregate net worth jumped to $15.1 trillion. Even more striking is the concentration of wealth at the top: just 29 "superbillionaires," each holding assets exceeding $50 billion, now control $4.1 trillion, representing 27% of all billionaire wealth.

Staggering numbers

The total count of global billionaires surged to a record high of 3,795 individuals in 2025, as the artificial intelligence boom provided a powerful impetus for wealth creation across the globe, according to a recent report by Altrata. This figure reflects an 8.2% expansion in the billionaire population, marking the steepest annual increase in five years, the wealth intelligence firm reported. Combined billionaire fortunes rose by 12.8% to hit a record $15.1 trillion last year, the analysis noted. Altrata analyzed 150 publicly traded companies that drove the greatest share of wealth accumulation for billionaires. Firms that allocated at least $30 million toward AI investments over the past five years saw their market capitalizations grow 23% faster than non-investing peers during the 2024–2025 period, the study found. Wall Street's fervor for AI has also widened the wealth gap within the billionaire cohort itself, noted Maya Imberg, head of thought leadership and analytics at Altrata. The report pinpointed 29 superbillionaires possessing fortunes above $50 billion, who collectively command a net worth of $4.1 trillion—a sum accounting for 27% of total billionaire wealth. By comparison, the firm estimated that in 2017 there were only 10 superbillionaires, who represented just 7.2% of global billionaire wealth at the time. While the rally in tech equities has birthed historic personal fortunes, equity wealth heavily exposed to AI can carry intense market volatility, Imberg cautioned. "We expect the fortunes of many top billionaires centered in technology to fluctuate alongside the broader narrative surrounding AI," she remarked.

The $1.3 trillion sell-off

The current year has been characterized by sharp equity swings, including a massive $1.3 trillion chip stock sell-off in July. For the world's wealthiest figures, this environment translates into rapid, multi-billion-dollar paper gains or losses. Notably, Elon Musk saw his net worth contract by $18 billion in a single day, while Larry Ellison lost $50 billion over the span of a single week, according to Forbes. "Market concentration does not automatically mean we are in a bubble. However, clear risks emerge when portfolio exposure is concentrated in a single sector, technology, and specifically within AI technology," Imberg warned.

The map of wealth

North America's billionaire cohort, the largest in the world, expanded to 1,337 individuals following an 11.6% growth rate in 2025—outpacing every other geographic region, according to Altrata. Imberg attributed part of this accelerated pace to the dominant position of the US across private and public tech markets. Europe now counts 1,081 billionaires following a 7.9% rise last year, while the Asian billionaire population reached 881, reflecting a 6.5% gain. Although excitement surrounding AI served as the primary growth engine for wealth creation, the report emphasized that 2025 was an exceptionally favorable year on multiple fronts. Every major asset class tracked by Altrata posted positive returns in 2025 for the first time since the pandemic, despite market headwinds stemming from trade tensions under US President Donald Trump.

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