The discussion around the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on financial markets continues to intensify, especially as venture capital investment surges toward AI-driven startups. Ben Miller, CEO of Fundrise, recently offered a detailed look into how AI companies are transforming private markets—where more than 50% of global venture funding has flowed into AI-focused firms this year. His perspective underscores the growing democratization of investment access and its implications for everyday investors, particularly in areas of sustainability and socioeconomic equity.
In today’s economic environment, the relationship between AI and financial opportunity is becoming increasingly important. Miller emphasized that traditional investing barriers are breaking down, enabling ordinary people to access some of the most innovative and potentially lucrative private companies. “The biggest AI companies in the world are in the private markets,” he affirmed. As these firms develop groundbreaking technologies, the ability for everyday investors to participate is becoming vital to long-term wealth creation—especially when public markets remain out of reach for many.
Fundrise has spent the past decade focused on democratizing private-market investing, responding to a trend in which companies stay private far longer than they once did. Through regulated investment structures, Fundrise expands access to private equity opportunities historically reserved for large institutions. This mission aligns with a broader financial movement toward inclusivity—leveraging technology to offer lower costs, increased transparency, and participation across a diverse range of investors.
When weighing the pros and cons of expanding access to private markets, Miller acknowledged the inherent risks. While private companies offer exceptional wealth-building potential, they also operate with less oversight than public markets, creating pockets of uncertainty. He highlighted the irony that individuals can freely engage in prediction markets or trade cryptocurrencies, yet still face restrictions when it comes to investing in the most influential tech companies shaping the future.
“This can create significant social consequences if ordinary people are excluded from accessing transformative asset classes,” he stated. Miller stressed that transparency and responsible access are essential as private-market investing becomes more mainstream.
The conversation broadened to include how leading alternative asset managers—such as KKR and Apollo—are adapting to this shift. Miller explained that democratization is not a new trend but part of a century-long trajectory in finance, driven by regulatory change and technological progress that consistently expand investor access.
This evolution marks a key transition from institution-dominated investing toward a more open system. Companies like Fundrise are central to that transition, lowering barriers for individual investors while offering efficient, technology-backed platforms to access high-upside assets without the traditionally steep fees of legacy investment firms.
As the discussion turned to whether AI may be entering a bubble, Miller acknowledged that investor skepticism can be healthy. While soaring valuations invite scrutiny, he maintained that AI’s economic significance is undeniable and poised to generate massive wealth. “I think there will be more demand than supply,” he remarked, pointing to the immense challenges surrounding data center expansion and computing capacity.
His assessment reinforces the idea that strategic AI investing is not only a financial opportunity but also a hedge against potential workforce disruptions caused by rapid technological advancement. As AI reshapes industries, informed investment in emerging technologies will increasingly influence economic stability and future growth.
The rise of AI as a transformative force in finance demands proactive attention. Miller’s insights highlight the urgency of democratizing access to opportunities in this rapidly evolving sector. As markets fluctuate and technological disruption accelerates, empowering everyday individuals to participate in this economic shift may play a critical role in promoting wider social equity. Embracing sustainable investment strategies and adopting modern financial technologies may ultimately prove essential—not only for strengthening personal portfolios but also for sustaining the socioeconomic well-being of communities worldwide.
