Hello, PE Hubsters! Rafael Canton here on Wednesday with the US edition of the Wire. I am writing to you from sunny Orlando at PEI Group’s NEXUS 2025 summit. Today is the last day of the conference, so let’s look at a few insights and conversations from the past couple of days. First, I have Brian Bernasek, partner and co-head of Americas corporate private equity at the Carlyle Group, on how on-again and off-again tariffs and DOGE have affected dealmaking in private equity. Next, Bernasek was also on a panel on Day One with Joe Osnoss, managing partner at Silver Lake, and David Sambur, partner and co-head of equity at Apollo. Below, I’ll share some insights from the conversation, which included tariffs and AI. Control what you can control Throughout NEXUS, we’ve shared some of the conversations that took place at the conference. Brian Bernasek, partner and co-head of Americas corporate private equity at the Carlyle Group, spoke with Mary Kathleen (MK) Flynn, editor-in-chief of PE Hub, about the uncertainty that is clouding dealmaking. Read the premium version of the Wire to get Bernasek’s views on that uncertainty, some of the governmental changes happening in the US and his investment outlook. Embracing volatility The conversation around tariffs continued into the panel Bernasek appeared on, titled “How mega forces can reshape the world.” In addition to Bernasek, Joe Osnoss, managing partner at Silver Lake, and David Sambur, partner and co-head of equity at Apollo, appeared as well. MK Flynn moderated the panel. Find out how the panel viewed the potential effects from tariffs in the premium version of the Wire. AI revolution Osnoss said Silver Lake is looking at AI in every part of its business. The firm has 10 different workflows for AI, six that have to do with its portfolio companies. Two are tied to LP fundraising. Two are connected to due diligence and performance. To learn more about Silver Lake’s approach to AI, check out the premium version of the Wire. PE Hub has been following how private equity firms have used AI for their portfolio companies. We’ve also seen how it’s involved in dealmaking process. In November, I spoke with Blackstone chief technology officer John Stecher about how his firm is using generative AI to build its business and its portfolio companies. If you have any questions, thoughts, or want to chat about deals in the tech, consumer or sports sectors, please email me at rafael.c@pei.group. Tomorrow, Nina Lindholm will be with you for the Europe edition of the Wire and Michael Schoeck will bring you the US edition. Cheers, Rafael Read the full Wire commentary on PE Hub ... | 