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Global Technology

Understanding the impact of AI with Alastair Unwin

19 Aug 2025
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Alastair UnwinPartnerGlobal Technology Team

Deputy Manager Alastair Unwin recently joined Jonathon Roy on the UK Investor Magazine podcast, taking a deep dive into all things AI. With tech gains still primarily driven by a handful of mega-cap US names, Alastair explains what it might take for the market to broaden out and the opportunities that could bring.

Alastair explores the Polar Capital Technology team’s deep conviction in the AI theme, assesses how it looks set to disrupt the current set of large tech incumbents and explains how agentic AI is the next step on the path towards artificial general intelligence.

This podcast was originally produced in conjunction with UK Investor Magazine.

Some information contained herein has been obtained from third party sources and has not been independently verified by Polar Capital. Neither Polar Capital nor any other party involved makes any express or implied warranties or representations.

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Polar Capital Technology Trust plc (the "Company"): The Company is an investment company with investment trust status and its shares are excluded from the Financial Conduct Authority’s (“FCA”) restrictions on the promotion of non-mainstream investment products. The Company conducts its affairs, and intends to continue to conduct its affairs, so that the exemption will apply.

The Company is an Alternative Investment Fund under the EU's Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive 2011/61/EU as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

The Investment Manager:Polar Capital LLP is the investment manager of the Company (the "Investment Manager"). The Investment Manager is authorised and regulated by the FCA and is a registered investment adviser with the United States' Securities and Exchange Commission.

Key Risks

  • Investors' capital is at risk and there is no guarantee the Company will achieve its objective.
  • Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.
  • The value of investments may go down as well as up.
  • Investors might get back less than they originally invested.
  • The value of an investment’s assets may be affected by a variety of uncertainties such as (but not limited to): (i) international political developments; (ii) market sentiment; and (iii) economic conditions.
  • The shares of the Company may trade at a discount or a premium to Net Asset Value.
  • The Company may use derivatives which carry the risk of reduced liquidity, substantial loss and increased volatility in adverse market conditions.
  • The Company invests in assets denominated in currencies other than the Company's base currency and changes in exchange rates may have a negative impact on the value of the Company's investments.
  • The Company invests in a concentrated number of companies based in one sector. This focused strategy can lead to significant losses. The Company may be less diversified than other investment companies.
  • The Company may invest in emerging markets where there is a greater risk of volatility than developed economies, for example due to political and economic uncertainties and restrictions on foreign investment. Emerging markets are typically less liquid than developed economies which may result in large price movements to the Company.


Important Information

Not an offer to buy or sell: This document is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as a prospectus or an advertisement. This document does not constitute, and may not be used for the purposes of, an offer of the securities of, or any interests in, the Company by any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or invitation is not authorised.

Information subject to change: Any opinions expressed in this document may change.

Not Investment Advice: This document does not contain information material to the investment objectives or financial needs of the recipient. This document is not advice on legal, taxation or investment matters. Prospective investors must rely on their own examination of the consequences of an investment in the Company. Investors are advised to consult their own professional advisors concerning the investment.

No reliance: No reliance should be placed upon the contents of this document by any person for any purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Investment Manager or any of their respective affiliates accepts any responsibility for providing any investor with access to additional information, for revising or for correcting any inaccuracy in this document.

Performance and Holdings: All data is as at the document date unless indicated otherwise. Company holdings and performance are likely to have changed since the report date. Company information is provided by the Investment Manager.

Benchmark: The Company is actively managed and uses the Dow Jones Global Technology Index (total return, Sterling adjusted) as a performance target. The benchmark is considered to be representative of the investment universe in which the Company invests. The performance of the Company is likely to differ from the performance of the benchmark as the holdings, weightings and asset allocation will be different. Investors should carefully consider these differences when making comparisons. Further information about the benchmark can be found at: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/dow-jones-us-technology-index/#overview.

Third-party Data: Some information contained in this document has been obtained from third party sources and has not been independently verified. Neither the Company nor any other party involved in compiling, computing or creating the data makes any warranties or representations with respect to such data, and all such parties expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any data contained within this document.

Country Specific Disclaimers

United States: The information contained within this document does not constitute or form a part of any offer to sell or issue, or the solicitation of any offer to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, any securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful. The Company has not been and will not be registered under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) and, as such, the holders of its shares will not be entitled to the benefits of the Investment Company Act. In addition, the offer and sale of the Securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). No Securities may be offered or sold or otherwise transacted within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S of the Securities Act). In connection with the transaction referred to in this document the shares of the Company will be offered and sold only outside the United States to, and for the account or benefit of non-U.S. Persons in “offshore- transactions” within the meaning of, and in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S under the Securities Act. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited and, if sent in response to the information contained in this document, will not be accepted. Any failure to comply with the above restrictions may constitute a violation of such securities laws.

Further Information about the Company: Investment in the Company is an investment in the shares of the Company and not in the underlying investments of the Company. Further information about the Company and any risks can be found in the Company’s Key Information Document, the Annual Report and Financial Statements and the Investor Disclosure Document which are available on the Company's website, found at: https://www.polarcapitaltechnologytrust.co.uk.

Global Technology|19 Aug 2025

Understanding the impact of AI with Alastair Unwin

None
None
Alastair Unwin
Partner, Global Technology Team

Deputy Manager Alastair Unwin recently joined Jonathon Roy on the UK Investor Magazine podcast, taking a deep dive into all things AI. With tech gains still primarily driven by a handful of mega-cap US names, Alastair explains what it might take for the market to broaden out and the opportunities that could bring.

Alastair explores the Polar Capital Technology team’s deep conviction in the AI theme, assesses how it looks set to disrupt the current set of large tech incumbents and explains how agentic AI is the next step on the path towards artificial general intelligence.

This podcast was originally produced in conjunction with UK Investor Magazine.

Some information contained herein has been obtained from third party sources and has not been independently verified by Polar Capital. Neither Polar Capital nor any other party involved makes any express or implied warranties or representations.

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Related Fund

Technology Trust
  • None

    Alastair Unwin, CFA

    Alastair joined Polar Capital in June 2019 as a Fund Manager. Prior to joining Polar Capital, Alastair co-managed the Arbrook American Equities Fund. Between 2014 and 2018 he launched and then managed the Neptune Global Technology Fund and managed the Neptune US Opportunities Fund. Prior to Neptune, Alastair was a technology analyst at Herald Investment Management.

Polar Capital Technology Trust plc (the "Company"): The Company is an investment company with investment trust status and its shares are excluded from the Financial Conduct Authority’s (“FCA”) restrictions on the promotion of non-mainstream investment products. The Company conducts its affairs, and intends to continue to conduct its affairs, so that the exemption will apply.

The Company is an Alternative Investment Fund under the EU's Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive 2011/61/EU as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

The Investment Manager:Polar Capital LLP is the investment manager of the Company (the "Investment Manager"). The Investment Manager is authorised and regulated by the FCA and is a registered investment adviser with the United States' Securities and Exchange Commission.

Key Risks

  • Investors' capital is at risk and there is no guarantee the Company will achieve its objective.
  • Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.
  • The value of investments may go down as well as up.
  • Investors might get back less than they originally invested.
  • The value of an investment’s assets may be affected by a variety of uncertainties such as (but not limited to): (i) international political developments; (ii) market sentiment; and (iii) economic conditions.
  • The shares of the Company may trade at a discount or a premium to Net Asset Value.
  • The Company may use derivatives which carry the risk of reduced liquidity, substantial loss and increased volatility in adverse market conditions.
  • The Company invests in assets denominated in currencies other than the Company's base currency and changes in exchange rates may have a negative impact on the value of the Company's investments.
  • The Company invests in a concentrated number of companies based in one sector. This focused strategy can lead to significant losses. The Company may be less diversified than other investment companies.
  • The Company may invest in emerging markets where there is a greater risk of volatility than developed economies, for example due to political and economic uncertainties and restrictions on foreign investment. Emerging markets are typically less liquid than developed economies which may result in large price movements to the Company.


Important Information

Not an offer to buy or sell: This document is not an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as a prospectus or an advertisement. This document does not constitute, and may not be used for the purposes of, an offer of the securities of, or any interests in, the Company by any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or invitation is not authorised.

Information subject to change: Any opinions expressed in this document may change.

Not Investment Advice: This document does not contain information material to the investment objectives or financial needs of the recipient. This document is not advice on legal, taxation or investment matters. Prospective investors must rely on their own examination of the consequences of an investment in the Company. Investors are advised to consult their own professional advisors concerning the investment.

No reliance: No reliance should be placed upon the contents of this document by any person for any purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Investment Manager or any of their respective affiliates accepts any responsibility for providing any investor with access to additional information, for revising or for correcting any inaccuracy in this document.

Performance and Holdings: All data is as at the document date unless indicated otherwise. Company holdings and performance are likely to have changed since the report date. Company information is provided by the Investment Manager.

Benchmark: The Company is actively managed and uses the Dow Jones Global Technology Index (total return, Sterling adjusted) as a performance target. The benchmark is considered to be representative of the investment universe in which the Company invests. The performance of the Company is likely to differ from the performance of the benchmark as the holdings, weightings and asset allocation will be different. Investors should carefully consider these differences when making comparisons. Further information about the benchmark can be found at: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/dow-jones-us-technology-index/#overview.

Third-party Data: Some information contained in this document has been obtained from third party sources and has not been independently verified. Neither the Company nor any other party involved in compiling, computing or creating the data makes any warranties or representations with respect to such data, and all such parties expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any data contained within this document.

Country Specific Disclaimers

United States: The information contained within this document does not constitute or form a part of any offer to sell or issue, or the solicitation of any offer to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, any securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful. The Company has not been and will not be registered under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) and, as such, the holders of its shares will not be entitled to the benefits of the Investment Company Act. In addition, the offer and sale of the Securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). No Securities may be offered or sold or otherwise transacted within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S of the Securities Act). In connection with the transaction referred to in this document the shares of the Company will be offered and sold only outside the United States to, and for the account or benefit of non-U.S. Persons in “offshore- transactions” within the meaning of, and in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S under the Securities Act. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited and, if sent in response to the information contained in this document, will not be accepted. Any failure to comply with the above restrictions may constitute a violation of such securities laws.

Further Information about the Company: Investment in the Company is an investment in the shares of the Company and not in the underlying investments of the Company. Further information about the Company and any risks can be found in the Company’s Key Information Document, the Annual Report and Financial Statements and the Investor Disclosure Document which are available on the Company's website, found at: https://www.polarcapitaltechnologytrust.co.uk.

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