Data, Deals, and Disruption The Real AI Shift in Private Equity
In this episode, Alex Rawlings speaks with Jamyn Edis, digital transformation expert, former VC-backed CEO, and NYU professor. Jamyn shares actionable insights on using AI, data, and automation to drive performance across private equity firms and their portfolio companies.From dynamic pricing models and A/B testing to agentic AI and accelerating product cycles, Jamyn explains how to cut through the hype, identify real opportunities, and turn AI into measurable value.⏱️ Episode Highlights00:00 – Meet Jamyn Edis 30+ years in consulting (Accenture), corporate (HBO, Take-Two), startups, and teaching at NYU. Focused on the intersection of tech, data, and private equity.02:23 – Common Mistake in PE Most firms treat data as plumbing, not strategy. Shift from backward-looking reporting to predictive and prescriptive analytics.03:48 – AI That Delivers ROI AI must be embedded into daily operations, not stuck in R&D. Productize, operationalize, and commercialize—or risk irrelevance.05:15 – How AI Builds on Data AI is powered by historical data but creates forward-looking insights. Use it to improve pricing, marketing, and operations.06:42 – Case Study: Take-Two Interactive Jamyn led data science initiatives to optimize pricing and marketing—replacing gut decisions with data-driven experimentation.08:08 – AI as PE’s Next Value Driver AI is the new operating system for PE. After leverage and digital transformation, the next edge is intelligence at scale.09:31 – Advice to PE Firms Skeptical? “Get out before the business gets out of you.” Overwhelmed? Start small, build prototypes, and focus on real use cases.11:04 – Agentic AI in Action Jamyn shares examples of cutting development cycles, boosting campaign ROI, and improving customer service with AI agents.13:26 – From Problem to Prototype Diagnose real pain points, create business and technical requirements, and build targeted AI tools that solve specific problems.14:50 – AI Won’t Replace Humans, But... Those who use AI will outperform those who don’t. Jamyn explains Jevons Paradox and why productivity leads to new jobs.18:46 – How Jamyn Diagnoses Opportunities Structured discovery process, stakeholder interviews, and clear roadmaps to identify where AI and tech can drive value.22:10 – Every PE Firm Needs an AI Stack Soon, AI tools will be as essential as data teams or web developers. Invest now in people, platforms, and processes.23:06 – The Future is AI + Human Judgment Firms that embed AI deeply—and pair it with operator judgment—will unlock the next generation of alpha.24:21 – Jamyn’s Book: The Fifth Horseman An exploration of how AI mirrors humanity and transforms the way we live and lead. AI is trained by us—and reflects us.29:07 – What Jamyn Reads & Recommends Books: The Hard Thing About Hard Things, Understanding Media Podcasts: Pivot, Ezra Klein TV: Succession – “Still the best corporate training program ever made.”Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.comLooking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guidesfor proven str
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