In 2026, venture capital’s hunger for AI will be insatiable

Core Insights - AI is increasingly competing with traditional SaaS businesses for customers and investors, prompting companies to consider in-house software development with AI tools [1] - AI companies are experiencing rapid revenue growth, outpacing previous generations of SaaS companies, with the total addressable market for AI potentially being the largest in technology history [2] - The investment landscape is shifting, with a significant portion of venture capital now directed towards AI, indicating a transformative wave similar to past technological advancements [3][4] Investment Trends - More than half of all venture capital dollars and 36% of total deals are now allocated to AI companies, with notable investments such as a $2 billion seed round for Thinking Machines Lab [3] - The speed of deal closures in AI has accelerated, with large funding rounds occurring without traditional presentations or clarity on business models [3] - VC firms are diversifying their investment interests, exploring opportunities in computing hardware, data centers, and AI roll-ups, which involve acquiring service businesses to enhance efficiency through AI [6] Market Dynamics - The emergence of AI models running on advanced graphics processing units is expected to drive a wide range of applications, attracting VC interest in both application development and foundational technology [7] - There is a growing appetite for innovative AI models beyond language and image processing, including sectors like autonomous vehicles and robotics [9] - Other sectors, such as fintech and defense tech, are also attracting investor interest, particularly following successful IPOs and favorable regulatory environments [10][12] Future Outlook - The IPO landscape for AI companies is active, with major players like OpenAI and Anthropic reportedly preparing for public offerings, which could stimulate further investment activity [14] - The overall investment climate is more liquid compared to previous years, raising questions about the sustainability of current valuations and the potential for future market corrections [13][15]