Artificial intelligence, once envisioned primarily as the engine behind futuristic robots and automated systems, is now giving rise to an entirely new class of wealth creators — the AI billionaires. This emerging category of ultra-wealthy individuals exemplifies how technological advancement can generate not only innovation but also immense personal fortunes. According to a comprehensive report released by the Swiss banking giant UBS, the global billionaire population has reached an unprecedented 2,919 individuals, marking an 8.8% increase over the previous year. Even more striking than their growing number is the expansion of their collective financial power: today’s billionaires are, on average, richer than at any point in history.
The UBS study, developed in collaboration with PwC, draws on both its proprietary surveys of billionaire clients and a meticulously maintained global billionaire database. These combined data sources reveal a remarkable escalation in overall wealth, which now totals approximately $15.8 trillion — representing a 13% increase over the prior year. This surge can be largely attributed to the explosive growth in technology markets driven by artificial intelligence. Tech titans such as Meta, Oracle, and Nvidia have been at the heart of this transformation, their soaring stock valuations reflecting investor confidence in AI’s long-term potential. Within this context, the group often referred to as the “Magnificent Seven” — a cohort of leading U.S. technology companies that consistently outperform the broader market — has experienced a collective rise in share value of around 25% just this year.
The financial benefits of the AI revolution have been concentrated in the hands of a few extraordinarily successful individuals. Six of America’s most prominent technology billionaires collectively increased their net worth by a staggering $171 billion, gains largely tied to the rapid integration and commercialization of artificial intelligence within their enterprises. Across the Pacific, Chinese entrepreneurs linked to AI and related technological ventures are witnessing similar upward momentum, as the nation continues to solidify its role as a powerhouse in the global innovation economy.
Among the most notable beneficiaries of this global wealth wave are industry luminaries such as Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the visionary founders of Alphabet; Larry Ellison, the long-time Oracle executive who has redefined enterprise software; and Jensen Huang, the charismatic leader of Nvidia, whose advanced chips have become essential components in AI development. Their fortunes, swelled by investor anticipation of an AI-driven future, stand as emblematic of the broader economic reshaping now underway. Yet even as these high-profile figures dominate headlines, the report notes the arrival of 287 new billionaires over the past year, whose wealth originates from a diverse array of sources beyond technology.
Approximately 70% of these new entrants into the billionaire class are self-made — a testament to entrepreneurship and innovation across multiple industries. UBS highlights examples such as bioscience entrepreneur Ben Lamm, founder of Colossal, a pioneering company focused on ‘de-extinction’ technology; and Chinese brothers Zhang Hongchao and Zhang Hongfu, who turned their vision into reality with the creation of Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, a popular and rapidly expanding fast-food brand. These stories underscore that while artificial intelligence has become a major driver of wealth creation, opportunities continue to flourish across scientific, consumer, and emerging markets.
The remaining 91 new billionaires, by contrast, inherited their fortunes. Among these heirs are 15 members of two historic German pharmaceutical dynasties, whose family legacies continue to shape global markets. Wealth transfer, already substantial, is expected to accelerate in the near future. UBS predicts that over the next 15 years, an astonishing $5.9 trillion in assets will change hands as the current generation of billionaires passes their fortunes on to their descendants. This monumental shift will not only redefine family empires but also influence patterns of philanthropy, investment, and global power dynamics.
While inheriting such vast sums guarantees financial security, UBS points out that affluence brings expectations along with privilege. An overwhelming 82% of surveyed billionaires with children expressed a strong desire for their heirs to carve out their own paths to success, emphasizing independence, merit, and personal achievement rather than reliance on inherited wealth. This sentiment reflects a growing cultural shift within the world’s elite — an acknowledgment that sustaining prosperity across generations requires ambition and adaptability, not entitlement. The next generation of billionaires, it seems, will be expected to earn not only their prosperity but also their legacy.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-many-billionaires-world-growing-net-worth-ai-2025-12
