Why AI Makes Talent the Only Durable PE Moat
Goldman Sachs PE Co-Head Michael Bruun explains why rapid AI adoption shifts value from software tools to agile leadership and culture.
Goldman Sachs’ Michael Bruun on AI, Private Equity & The War for Talent
With David Weisburd, Michael Bruun · Sunday, September 20, 2026
Michael Bruun, Partner and Global Co-Head of Private Equity at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, breaks down the core middle-market investment playbook in a normalized interest rate environment. He discusses how Goldman Sachs leverages over 110 operating partners to execute operational talent arbitrage, why PE firms must return to EBITDA compounding rather than relying on multiple expansion, and how portfolio companies are operationalizing AI across revenue scaling and margin optimization. Weisburd and Bruun also explore why rapid technological change amplifies the value of agile leadership and culture over raw tooling.
Key takeaways
- Michael Bruun oversees private equity at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, where a bench of over 110 operating partners drives operational talent arbitrage across portfolio companies. Read more →
- Goldman Sachs Asset Management targets the core middle market ($500 million to $2 billion deals) by importing mega-buyout operating playbooks. Read more →
- Michael Bruun manages private equity investing at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, backed by a bench of over 110 operating partners. Read more →
- Goldman Sachs Asset Management deploys a network of 110 operating partners to execute operational improvements and talent upgrades across middle-market companies. Read more →
- Goldman Sachs Asset Management hedges base rates, foreign exchange, and supply chain exposures three to five years forward to isolate business execution from macro fluctuations. Read more →
5 articles from this episode
Goldman Sachs' Mid-Market Playbook: Operational Talent Arbitrage
Michael Bruun explains how Goldman Sachs deploys 110+ operating partners to run talent arbitrage across $500M to $2B middle-market deals.
Why Strategics Beat Continuation Funds on Exit Valuations
Goldman Sachs PE Co-Head Michael Bruun on why clean data architecture drives strategic exit premiums over continuation vehicles.
Goldman Sachs' Playbook for Portfolio AI Adoption
Michael Bruun explains how Goldman Sachs runs its portfolio AI adoption blueprint to grow revenue and expand margins across middle-market buyouts.
Goldman's Playbook: Compounding EBITDA in Normalized Rates
Michael Bruun explains why Goldman Sachs hedges macro risk for 3-5 years and relies on 110+ operating partners to compound EBITDA.
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