AI boom widens the wealth gap, propelling the ultra-rich ahead

Capgemini's World Wealth Report 2026 finds ultrahigh-net-worth individuals (investable assets ≥ $30M) gained about 10% in 2025, outpacing the $1–$5M group which grew under 8%. Global wealth among high-net-worth individuals rose 8.7% to a record $98.3 trillion, with the U.S. adding roughly 736,000 new millionaires. The AI boom and access to private equity and hedge funds helped the ultra-rich capture higher returns, highlighting a growing wealth gap as more ordinary investors enter markets but see more modest gains.