# Family Offices Rank AI a Top Investment Theme Despite Bubble Risk

By Enna Lee

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/investing/30190
Published: 2026-10-12T10:08:05.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-12T10:08:05.000Z
Section: Investing

> A survey of 155 North American family offices found that 85% viewed AI as a leading investment theme, while 75% expected an AI investment bubble to burst within five years.

Artificial intelligence is drawing family-office investment interest despite widespread concern that an AI investment bubble could burst within five years, highlighting the tension between near-term enthusiasm and longer-term risk assessments.

Eighty-five percent of respondents in a survey of 155 North American family offices selected AI as an asset class or investment theme likely to reward investors over the next 12 months, the next two to five years, or both. U.S. equities ranked second at 76%, followed by direct investments at 72%.

AI was the leading investment theme for 2026 among 59% of respondents. For the two- to five-year period, however, U.S. equities ranked higher, with 69% selecting them compared with 64% for AI and 62% for direct investments.

Three-quarters of respondents expected an AI investment bubble to burst within five years. Excessive government borrowing was the most frequently cited market risk, at 76%, followed by an AI investment bubble burst at 75% and AI advancements’ impact on employment at 66%.

“Even patient capital can be caught up in the fear of missing out,” said Bill Ringham, director of private wealth strategies at RBC Wealth Management.

Real estate drew a more cautious near-term assessment. Twenty-six percent of respondents viewed it as likely to reward investors over the next 12 months, while 51% selected it for the two- to five-year period.

The survey did not ask whether family offices planned to change allocations specifically because of AI. Separately, 31% planned to increase investments in private equity, while just over one-fifth planned to invest more in real estate and venture capital.

“Fear of missing out is a short-term view,” Ringham said. “You’re seeing AI over the next 12 months as being that top priority. Their long-term look swings back.”