Blue Owl CEO touts Big Tech's AI spending as 'significant' opportunity for the private credit giant

April 30, 2026 - 20:35

Blue Owl Capital shares jumped on Tuesday after the firm reported strong growth in its data center financing and leasing business, with its chief executive highlighting artificial intelligence spending by Big Tech as a "significant" opportunity for private credit markets.

The alternative asset manager, known for its direct lending and real estate investments, has been expanding its footprint in the infrastructure needed to power AI. CEO Marc Lipschultz said during an earnings call that the surge in capital expenditures from major technology companies is creating a wave of demand for private financing. "The scale of investment we are seeing from the largest tech firms is unprecedented," he said. "It is a significant opportunity for us to provide the capital behind that growth."

Blue Owl's data center platform, which includes leasing and financing arrangements, has become a key driver of its recent performance. The company reported that assets under management in that segment rose sharply, helping to boost overall fee-related earnings. Investors responded positively, sending the stock higher in after-hours trading.

The push into AI-related infrastructure comes as traditional private credit faces more competition from banks and public markets. But Blue Owl argues that its long-term, patient capital model is well suited to the multiyear buildouts required for data centers and other tech infrastructure. Lipschultz noted that the company is not just lending but also structuring deals that give it direct ownership in some cases.

While the broader economy faces uncertainty from interest rates and geopolitical risks, Blue Owl's focus on technology and real estate has provided a buffer. The firm's executives said they expect the AI spending cycle to continue for years, with no signs of a slowdown from major cloud providers and tech giants.