Paul Inouye

As technology advances at an unprecedented pace, the cybersecurity landscape faces extraordinary opportunities and daunting challenges. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force, enhancing industry capabilities and enabling new, highly sophisticated cyber threats. Among the most critical concerns are AI-powered deepfake scams that exploit human trust, the urgent development of quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques to protect data against future quantum attacks, and the evolving strategies shaping cybersecurity’s future. This article delves into these pivotal issues, explaining how they intersect and influence the ongoing battle to secure our digital world. The Growing Threat of AI-Powered Deepfake Scams Deepfakes represent one of the most disruptive applications of AI in recent years. By using advanced machine learning techniques, deepfake technology can create hyper-realistic, synthetic videos, audio recordings, and images that convincingly imitate real peop...

Quantum computing has long been a subject of intrigue and promise, with its potential to revolutionize industries and scientific endeavors. At its core, quantum computing leverages the strange properties of quantum mechanics to process information in ways that classical computers cannot. With the ability to perform calculations at speeds far beyond what traditional systems can handle, quantum computing promises to break barriers in fields ranging from cryptography and medicine to artificial intelligence and beyond. As research accelerates, it is becoming increasingly clear that quantum computing could soon reshape how we approach complex problems. Quantum Computing and the Future of Cryptography One of the most widely discussed implications of quantum computing is its impact on cryptography. Current encryption methods that secure online transactions, communications, and sensitive data are built on the assumption that some mathematical issues are complex for classical computers to solv...

TARIFF IMPACT Tariffs have recently become a significant factor in reducing risk appetite and increasing volatility in public markets. Private equity (PE) will also be affected, but the sector is expected to navigate this period well due to ample dry powder in equity and credit strategies and longer investment horizons. Key near-term risks include exit activity, with 3,800 US PE-backed portfolio companies held for five to 12 years awaiting exit opportunities. Improved credit conditions and renewed IPO activity have sustained exit growth through Q1 2025, but divergent value expectations between buyers and sellers could stall exit momentum later in 2025. Valuations may become challenging, with potential NAV markdowns if portfolio companies face slowing sales amid GDP deceleration. Continuation vehicles are expected to grow as firms seek alternatives to selling in volatile markets. Among the 3,800 companies, 39.4% are in the B2B sector and 19% in the B2C sector, which will likely be most ...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force across numerous vertical tech sectors, reshaping industries and driving innovation at an unprecedented pace. From healthcare to finance, manufacturing to education, AI's influence is profound and multifaceted. This blog post explores the impact of AI on various vertical tech sectors, highlighting key advancements, challenges, and future prospects. Healthcare AI's impact on healthcare is revolutionary, offering significant improvements in diagnostics, treatment, and patient care. Machine learning algorithms analyze vast amounts of medical data to identify patterns and predict outcomes, enhancing the accuracy of diagnoses. AI-powered tools like IBM Watson assist in clinical decision-making by processing complex medical information and providing evidence-based recommendations. Additionally, AI-driven technologies such as robotic surgery and personalized medicine are transforming patient care, making treatments more...

The lower middle market, typically defined as businesses with annual revenues between $5 million and $50 million, is experiencing several notable trends in the M&A landscape in 2025. Here are the key trends shaping this segment: 1. Increased Confidence and Economic Stability Post-Election Economy: Increased confidence in the post-election economy is driving more dynamic and competitive M&A activity [1] . Economic Stability: Stabilizing economic conditions are encouraging businesses to pursue growth through acquisitions [1] . 2. Private Equity Involvement Active PE Firms: Private equity firms are showing heightened interest in the lower middle market, driven by the availability of capital and the potential for high returns [2] . Larger Transactions: PE firms are engaging in larger transactions, with a significant portion of deals exceeding $500 million [2] . 3. Technological Integration AI and Digital Transformation: The rapid emergence of AI and digital transformation techno...