How to use AI in a private markets case competition
TL;DR
Almost every private markets case competition now allows AI, as long as you disclose it and the recommendation is genuinely yours. Two things get teams disqualified: undisclosed use, and letting the AI write the recommendation.
What most competitions require
Rules vary, but the pattern is consistent. Disclose which AI tools you used, what you used them for, and confirm the investment recommendation is the team's own. Some competitions also ask for a short methodology note listing every AI use.
Undisclosed use is treated as an integrity breach. Judges care much less about whether you used AI and much more about whether you were honest about it.
How to use it well
Good uses: summarising a data room, generating a precedent transaction list to verify, drafting a first-pass risks section, pressure-testing your unit economics, tightening the memo language.
Bad uses: asking AI for the recommendation, pasting output verbatim, citing precedents you did not verify against a primary source.
How this shows up on the job
This is the exact discipline a private capital IC memo requires. The team that gets used to AI plus disclosure plus verification in a case competition is already writing at the level a fund expects.
How Reuben AI helps
Reuben AI's provenance layer records the data, prompt and reviewer for every output. Your competition disclosure becomes a copy and paste. Students can start on the Free workspace.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Will the judges know I used AI?
Usually yes. Disclosure is safer and often required.
Can AI write my valuation?
It can help you build and check it. The judgement calls (precedents, private WACC, exit multiple) have to be yours.
What about hallucinated numbers?
You own every number in your deck. Verify every figure against a primary source.
Do I need a separate AI disclosure page?
Some competitions require it. Adding one is never wrong.
Is Reuben AI allowed?
It is designed for exactly this disclosure model. Confirm with the competition organiser.
Learn on the platform you will use on the job.
Start with the Free workspace to practise IC memos, LBOs, DCFs and private-capital workflows. Faculty, program leads and student investment club leaders can book a demo to discuss teaching seats and program access.