Software: In the AI storm

Software equities sit in the eye of the AI storm, caught at a decisive inflection point as AI reshapes the sector and investors grapple with one of the sharpest valuation resets in years. ​

In Episode 20 of the Barclays Brief, Raimo Lenschow, Head of North American Software Research, joins Ronnie Wexler, Global Head of Equities Distribution, to explore what’s driving the sell‑off and why the long‑term software story remains far from written.​

The discussion examines the forces behind the recent repricing, from the arrival of real, market‑ready GenAI products to intensifying concerns around hyperscaler CapEx, overbuild risk and shifting competitive dynamics. While headlines point to sweeping disruption, Raimo argues that AI is not ending software — it’s redefining the stack and reshaping where value accrues.​

At the centre of the episode is a simple but critical question: as AI accelerates change across software, what genuinely matters — and what’s being overstated?​

Raimo and Ronnie also discuss what could shape the sector’s next phase, from how valuations may stabilise to the long, often underappreciated migration timelines that anchor enterprise technology decisions.​

Listen in for a grounded perspective on where fear may be overstated, where selectivity matters most, and how investors can think about durability and opportunity as AI continues to reshape the software landscape​

Listeners can hear more on this topic:​​

1. Barclays Brief #14 – Rise of the humanoid robots​
2. Barclays Brief #12 – The future of mobility​
3. Barclays Brief #4 – AI revolution: China’s five year plan​

Clients can read more on Barclays Live:​

1. Software Is Not Dead, Just Changing ​
2. How to play AI dislocation?​
3. Agentic AI Disruption Risk in Focus​

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