At the 2026 Mizuho Technology Conference in June, Michal Katz, Head of Investment & Corporate Banking, Mizuho Americas, sat down with Bloomberg’s Romaine Bostick for an interview aired on “The Close” to speak about the generational transformation driven by AI which is impacting every sector of the global economy.
Michal highlighted the substantial capital investments being made by hyperscalers, with this year's capex reaching $750 billion. While AI remains at the forefront of industry conversations, its adoption is nuanced as there is a clear distinction between genuine advancements and hype. Their discussion delves into the search for tangible AI use cases that deliver measurable returns, such as revenue growth and acceleration, as well as the obstacles companies face.
Enterprise applications of AI vary widely, as organizations grapple with challenges related to data accessibility and talent acquisition, all while striving to implement effective guardrails. Financing for AI initiatives spans debt markets, convertibles, and equities, reflecting the immense scale of investment and the need to tap both private and public capital sources across multiple currencies.
The video also covers Mizuho's role as a bridge between companies and Japanese capital, emphasizing the country's economic resurgence fueled by monetary and fiscal policies and selective AI investments. Finally, the conversation touches on the emergence of larger M&A and LBO transactions driven by the quest for scale, and the return of IPO activity, with numerous high-quality companies poised to enter the market, awaiting favorable conditions for their debut.
