Raspberry Pi raises profit forecast as AI demand grows

Raspberry Pi, the Cambridge-based firm behind the popular small computers, has upgraded its profit forecast for the first half of 2026, citing robust demand for its products driven in part by the rapid growth of the AI sector. The company now expects to deliver adjusted earnings of at least $38m (£28.2m) for the first half of 2026. This upbeat update sent shares in Raspberry Pi soaring by as much as 25% in early trading on Friday, lifting its market value to around £2bn.

The significant increase in value has been fueled by the growing popularity of its credit card-sized computers, which are increasingly being used to create AI-powered devices, offering a cost-effective alternative to more specialized hardware. Raspberry Pi's devices have become the go-to choice for hobbyists and enthusiasts, with the company selling more than four million units expected for the half-year. The group has seen the value of its stock more than triple since the start of the year, reflecting "robust demand for its products".

As a result, Raspberry Pi is on track for earnings to be "significantly ahead of current market expectations" for 2026 as a whole. The company's products have also become popular with developers and programmers, who use them to host AI assistants such as OpenClaw. Raspberry Pi has raised prices several times for many of its products over the past few months, due to a global shortage of memory chips driven in part by demand from AI data centers, which pushed up component costs.

The company's growth is a testament to the increasing demand for AI-powered devices and the versatility of its small computers. With its market value now standing at around £2bn, Raspberry Pi is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing trend of AI adoption across various industries.