Written by Jessica Tvelia
In most private equity portfolios, the Technology Operating Partner has long been a critical player. They’ve been the go-to for system integrations, digital transformation, and aligning tech strategy to the investment thesis. But now, a new role is emerging at the deal table: the AI Operating Partner.
Now, this question is surfacing more often in boardrooms and strategy sessions: If we already have a Tech Operating Partner, why bring in an AI specialist?
The answer isn’t about replacing one with the other, it’s about recognizing where each brings unique value and knowing when both are needed to maximize returns.
The expanding role of Tech Operating Partners
Tech Operating Partners have historically been tasked with enabling digital scale, which includes:
- Streamlining back-office platforms
- Upgrading infrastructure
- Leading ERP, CRM, and cloud migrations
- Creating product and engineering roadmaps
- Building out IT teams and architecture
They’re essential when the mandate is digital enablement or platform professionalization. They help create stability, scalability, and speed, but AI demands something different.
Depending on the firm’s technology strategy, AI is raising the bar for Tech Operating Partners. They’re now expected to drive advancements like AI software development lifecycle readiness (SDLR), automated quality assurance, and enhanced engineer enablement. This is also becoming the space where AI data infrastructure is likely to take root.
Why AI Operating Partners are emerging - and where they matter most
While Tech Operating Partners are adept at upgrading existing systems, AI Operating Partners think differently: they reimagine what’s possible.
This role has emerged to fill very specific gaps in portfolio company leadership. They bring deep expertise in areas like:
- AI-first product strategy
- AI-first data engineering
- Machine learning model development
- Responsible AI governance
- Building AI-native teams and capabilities
According to a Q1 2025 Wall Street Journalreport, 67% of enterprise leaders say they’re prioritizing AI-specific initiatives over general digital transformation projects this year. That shift demands a different kind of operator - one who understands how to build AI into the core, not bolt it on.
When AI leadership makes the difference
Here are three scenarios where an AI Operating Partner is essential:
1. The investment thesis hinges on AI innovation
If the playbook relies on building AI-native products, automation-led margin expansion, or competitive data advantage, you need a leader fluent in these areas from day one.
2. The portfolio company is data-rich, but insight-poor
Many firms are sitting on mountains of customer and operational data without the in-house capability to turn it into intelligence. An AI Operating Partner can architect that transformation and help unlock trapped value.
3. The talent bar needs raising
Hiring data scientists and ML engineers is only part of the equation. Knowing how to structure those teams, what tools to deploy, and how to govern AI responsibly at scale is something a Tech OP may not be equipped for.
When two roles are better than one
To be clear: this isn’t about one role replacing the other.
At Acertitude, we’ve placed both Tech and AI Operating Partners, and have seen firsthand how they complement each other. One brings systems, structure, and scale while the other brings speed, experimentation, and insight.
Some firms integrate both into a single, blended role while others treat them as a tag team. The key is aligning the right talent to the strategy and knowing which kind of transformation you’re driving.
What today's market is telling us
The demand for AI specialism is real and rising.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, there has been a 30% uptick in requests for AI Operating Partner roles, often from firms that already have seasoned Tech OPs in place. That mirrors a broader trend: a Forbes analysis from February 2025 reported that AI-specific talent is now among the top five most sought-after skillsets across all operating partner roles in private equity.
The bottom line
AI is not just another layer of digital transformation. It’s a mindset, and often, a different kind of play altogether.
If you’re investing in companies where AI can drive exponential value, the question isn’t whether your existing Tech OP is capable. It’s whether they’re the right fit for what comes next. If not, it may be time to add someone who is.
Your value creation strategy deserves the right leadership.
Need help finding the right Operating Partner built for your thesis?
Contact Jessica Tvelia, Partner in Acertitude's Technology Practice.
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