Which company is leading in machine learning?

Opinions vary about the absolute leader in machine learning, but Nvidia commands respect as the company that provides the leading hardware that makes machine learning possible.

Are machine learning stocks suitable for long-term investors?

Machine learning stocks are great options for long-term investors. Since it's a growth industry, there may be some bumps in the road as the industry matures, but those with long investment horizons should prosper.

How do machine learning stocks differ from general tech stocks?

Machine learning stocks have more concentrated exposure to artificial intelligence than most tech stocks.

Do machine learning stocks pay dividends?

For the most part, machine learning stocks don't pay dividends. Nvidia pays a nominal dividend, but most machine learning companies reinvest in their businesses rather than return capital to shareholders.

How can investors stay updated on trends in machine learning stocks?

For those interested in keeping abreast of developments in machine learning stocks, it's best to research the companies thoroughly, such as reading through their quarterly earnings reports. Of course, following The Motley Fool's coverage of these stocks is also a great strategy.

Bars

An in-depth look at the best machine learning stocks in the U.S. stock market this year.

By Scott Levine – Updated Aug 17, 2026 at 1:32 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Nvidia leads in AI by evolving semiconductors for data centers, boosting revenue by 92%.
Tesla enhances machine learning in self-driving tech, with massive data from 10 billion miles.
Accenture employs AI effectively, planning to return $9.5 billion to shareholders by 2026.

Machine learning stocks give investors exposure to one of the most powerful branches of artificial intelligence: software that learns from data and improves over time without explicit programming.

This technology already shapes everyday life, from Google search results to Netflix (NFLX -0.69%) recommendations, and it’s becoming core to how businesses operate across industries. With global machine learning spending expected to grow rapidly over the rest of the decade, companies that build and deploy these systems could be positioned for long-term growth.

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An infographic defining and explaining the term machine learning. — Image source: The Motley Fool.

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Best machine learning stocks in 2026

Although they're not pure plays on machine learning, here are some top companies participating in the machine learning sector:

Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market capMarket cap calculated using publicly traded shares outstanding only. Does not include unlisted, private, or dual-class non-traded shares. Implied market cap may vary.	Dividend yield	Industry
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA)	$5.2 trillion	0.13%	Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)	$1.4 trillion	0.00%	Automobiles
Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN)	$113.4 billion	3.52%	IT Services
ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW)	$132.8 billion	0.00%	Software
Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW)	$115.3 billion	0.00%	IT Services
CrowdStrike (NASDAQ:CRWD)	$195.5 billion	0.00%	Software
Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR)	$432.4 billion	0.00%	Software

Data as of Aug 23, 2026. Showing 7 of 7 total entries.

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1. Nvidia

NASDAQ: NVDA

Nvidia

Today's Change

(-0.98%) $-2.13

Current Price

$214.72

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$5.2T

Day's Range

$214.50 - $218.74

52wk Range

$164.07 - $236.54

Volume

98.9M

Avg Vol

140.7M

Gross Margin

74.15%

Dividend Yield

0.13%

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Nvidia's (NVDA -0.98%) hardware made a name for itself in powering high-end video game graphics, but in recent years, the company's bet on AI and machine learning has started to pay off. Machines require massive amounts of information to learn, and Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs) are well-suited to the task.

There is a changing of the guard in the semiconductor industry, and Nvidia has emerged as one of -- if not the -- technological leaders in the space. It's powering high-end computing with its GPUs that accelerate the production of data centers and the training of AI models. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027 ending in April 2026, Nvidia reported revenue of $75.2 billion for its data center business, a 92% year-over-year increase.

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Semiconductor

A semiconductor is a basic element or compound substance that conducts electricity in certain situations.

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The semiconductor company is also continually researching next-gen circuitry. It provides machine learning and other AI customers with an extensive software library to help with the deployment of their technologies.

Nvidia's customers include automakers developing self-driving vehicles, biotech researchers searching for cures for diseases, and retailers seeking to improve their supply chains. The company consistently generates operating profit margins well into double digits while spending billions of dollars annually on research and development (R&D).

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2. Tesla

NASDAQ: TSLA

Tesla

Today's Change

(5.14%) $17.73

Current Price

$362.86

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$1.4T

Day's Range

$346.90 - $366.50

52wk Range

$297.38 - $498.83

Volume

59.2M

Avg Vol

42.1M

Gross Margin

18.85%

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Tesla's (TSLA +5.14%) work on self-driving cars uses machine learning. Although self-driving cars have become controversial, they are one of the most exciting developments in machine learning.

Emulating the many split-second decisions a human driver makes is unfathomably complex. However, Tesla is steadily improving its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving capabilities (which aren't fully self-driving, at least not yet). The electric vehicle (EV) maker regularly releases updates for its machine learning-enabled vehicles via cloud-based software. With Tesla vehicles racking up almost 10 billion miles of FSD, the company has amassed vast amounts of data for its ML systems to learn from.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Tesla launched its training cluster Cortex, which helped facilitate the development of Full Self-Driving version 13. There's also speculation that the company is developing Cortex 2.0 to help train the Optimus humanoid robots, as well as Full Self-Driving. In its Q2 2026 10-Q, Tesla acknowledged that it continues to expand Cortex at the Texas Gigafactory "to provide sufficient compute resources for the development of our AI products and services."

Tesla collects video and data from Tesla owners to continuously improve its machine learning algorithms. Additionally, the company has applied its software expertise to the global power grid, virtually managing and automating storage for use across its own network of charging stations, as well as selling power to local electric utilities and other businesses that need power.

Further demonstrating its ML prowess, Tesla launched its first commercial robotaxi service with paying customers in the second quarter of 2025, with a long-term goal of expanding heavily throughout the U.S., subject to regulatory approvals.

The stock trades at a steep premium, but investors are betting Tesla will use its lead in AI and machine learning to disrupt the energy and transportation status quo for years to come.

3. Accenture

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NYSE: ACN

Accenture Plc

Today's Change

(2.17%) $3.93

Current Price

$185.28

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$113B

Day's Range

$180.02 - $188.45

52wk Range

$118.15 - $291.09

Volume

4.8M

Avg Vol

8.5M

Gross Margin

31.73%

Dividend Yield

3.52%

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Accenture (ACN +2.17%) is a global consulting firm and technology expert that often helps companies leverage tech to transform their operations. Accenture's numerous proficiencies include artificial intelligence and machine learning.

This is a slow-and-steady growth stock, so it isn't the most exciting company on this list. But what Accenture stock lacks in excitement, it makes up for in shareholder returns with dividends and share repurchases.

The company has steadily increased the capital it has returned to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases, from $4.6 billion in fiscal 2019 to $8.3 billion in fiscal 2025. It forecasts returning at least $9.5 billion in cash to shareholders from the projected $11 billion in free cash flow it expects to generate in 2026.

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Accenture has research labs dedicated to various branches of AI, and some of its projects require the company to determine how to apply machine learning to solve real-world problems. Where relevant, the company recommends machine learning to its clients to support and increase the productivity of a human workforce, as well as improve the efficiency of cloud computing.

Machine learning is likely to proliferate among businesses in the decade ahead. And Accenture is well-positioned to help them implement it.

4. ServiceNow

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NYSE: NOW

ServiceNow

Today's Change

(-0.98%) $-1.27

Current Price

$128.48

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$133B

Day's Range

$127.47 - $131.18

52wk Range

$81.24 - $194.73

Volume

12.5M

Avg Vol

25.5M

Gross Margin

74.77%

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ServiceNow (NOW -0.98%) is a cloud computing platform powered in part by machine learning. As a provider of workflow automation software, the company uses machine learning to help its customers eliminate monotonous and redundant tasks. This ensures that employees spend more time working rather than discussing how to do the work.

ServiceNow's use of machine learning means its capabilities are continually improving. The longer the platform operates using machine learning, the better the company gets at predicting how workflows can be improved and which tasks to flag or prioritize.

Although it's not a household name, ServiceNow is deeply engaged with machine learning and is changing work, software development, and customer relationship management. ServiceNow is a large software firm at this point, but it's still growing revenue at more than 20% annually. In fact, management projects 2026 subscription revenue will grow 22.5% year-over-year.

It's also generating strong free cash flow. In 2025, ServiceNow reported a 35% free cash flow margin, and management projects the same in 2026. This applied machine learning company still has a long runway ahead.

5. Snowflake

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NYSE: SNOW

Snowflake

Today's Change

(3.58%) $11.49

Current Price

$332.78

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$115B

Day's Range

$314.20 - $333.27

52wk Range

$118.30 - $341.95

Volume

3.4M

Avg Vol

7.1M

Gross Margin

66.08%

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AI and machine learning require massive amounts of digital data to be stored and processed. Snowflake's (SNOW +3.58%) cloud-based platform was built for precisely this need as organizations around the world try to figure out how to make the best use of their new cloud computing capabilities.

Snowflake calls its platform the "data cloud." Companies can use the software for a near-endless number of applications, including analytics and training machine learning algorithms. In June 2026, for example, Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNFI) announced it had selected Snowflake's machine learning-driven Cortex AI to assist with drug development, among other uses.

Ever since its 2021 initial public offering (IPO), the business has been in hypergrowth mode as it broadens relationships with existing customers, illustrating the attractiveness of its offerings. During its fourth-quarter 2026 financial results, for instance, Snowflake reported a 125% net revenue retention rate.

The business is now profitable, as measured by free cash flow. The company generated a 24% free cash flow margin in fiscal 2026 and projects a 23% margin in fiscal 2027.

Management projects its business will continue to expand rapidly through the 2020s; however, as with any growth investment, Snowflake will likely be a wild ride, and it has massive potential as AI and machine learning grow in importance.

6. CrowdStrike Holdings

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NASDAQ: CRWD

CrowdStrike

Today's Change

(0.85%) $1.61

Current Price

$191.95

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$195B

Day's Range

$187.01 - $192.85

52wk Range

$85.68 - $227.50

Volume

8.2M

Avg Vol

10.7M

Gross Margin

74.89%

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This cybersecurity company uses machine learning to detect and identify threats, recommend the next steps in the event of a security breach, and help information technology (IT) teams solve problems. CrowdStrike's (CRWD +0.85%) machine learning technology gathers data from thousands of customers, enabling it to continuously adapt and get smarter.

CrowdStrike, a cloud-native company, got its start as a vendor of endpoint security software for devices used outside of traditional office settings. As a top security vendor, it is effectively leveraging machine learning to provide robust online protection that continues to improve over time.

The company maintains an incredible rate of growth. In its fiscal 2027 first quarter ending in April, CrowdStrike reported annual recurring revenue (ARR) of $5.51 billion, a 24% year-over-year increase. It also reported a company record for free cash flow of $468 million.

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7. Palantir Technologies

NASDAQ: PLTR

Palantir Technologies

Today's Change

(3.44%) $5.98

Current Price

$179.94

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$432B

Day's Range

$172.55 - $182.44

52wk Range

$106.37 - $207.52

Volume

41.1M

Avg Vol

43.2M

Gross Margin

84.80%

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Palantir (PLTR +3.44%) is a software company that builds foundational software solutions for large enterprises. Thanks in no small part to the rapid increases in computing power, the cloud, and AI, the global economy is witnessing unprecedented change. To keep up, businesses need a better way to gain insight into their massive and ever-growing troves of digital data.

That's where Palantir's AI and machine learning software come into play. The company designs operating systems that use machine learning at the very core of their functionality, helping customers make better decisions and forecasts. The company has sizable contracts with various government agencies and a rapidly expanding list of private-sector customers.

Palantir has a large following among retail investors, making it a top meme stock. But this is a rock-solid business. Palantir generates profit (as measured by adjusted free cash flow) and has a stellar balance sheet, with $9.2 billion in cash and short-term investments and no long-term debt at the end of June 2026. In 2026, Palantir forecasts revenue over $8.1 billion and adjusted free cash flow of about $4.6 billion.

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How to invest in machine learning stocks

For investors ready to add machine learning stocks to their portfolios, there are only a few basic steps to take.

Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments. If you don't have one yet, take a look at our favorite brokers and trading platforms to find the right one for you.
Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

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Benefits and risks of investing in machine learning stocks

While investors may have machine learning stocks on their radars, they must recognize both the benefits and risks before proceeding with investments.

Potential advantages of investing in machine learning stocks include:

Great growth opportunities, as the machine learning sector is poised to expand significantly.
Portfolio diversification.
Exposure to a wide swath of industries as various businesses adopt machine learning solutions.

On the other hand, investors must also acknowledge several risks.

During market downturns, businesses may invest less in their businesses and decide against adopting new machine learning solutions.
A more compelling technology may emerge, making machine learning less desirable.
Machine learning companies may invest heavily in R&D, sacrificing near-term profits for long-term success.

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Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Although a wide variety of machine learning investment opportunities exist, the stocks on this list offer investors a diverse range of leading options. For those interested in semiconductor exposure along with machine learning, there's Nvidia, while EV enthusiasts can hitch a ride with Tesla.

In general, though, these companies are on strong growth trajectories, and many are generating strong free cash flow, making them compelling options for exposure to the machine learning industry.

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Should you invest in machine learning stocks?

Companies around the world are pouring resources into developing AI and machine learning software for diverse purposes, but this alone doesn't mean that investing in machine learning stocks is right for everyone.

As technology continues to improve, it will increasingly influence how many companies operate and interact with customers.

But the sector is still emerging, so machine learning stocks are generally best suited to buy-and-hold investors who are comfortable with significant price volatility. As the machine learning industry advances and matures, those who stay invested in machine learning stocks for many years could realize substantial returns.

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Investing in machine learning stocks: FAQ

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About the Author

Scott Levine is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering energy, industrials, technology, and materials. He is also a high school English teacher and a small business owner. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing from Binghamton University, a master’s degree in secondary education from Adelphi University, and an advanced certificate in school building leadership from CUNY Queens College. A crossword puzzle enthusiast, he has solved more than 3,100 New York Times puzzles with a 97% solve rate.

TMFProudMonkey

@TMFProudMonkey

Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Accenture Plc, CrowdStrike, Nvidia, Palantir Technologies, ServiceNow, Snowflake, and Tesla. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $260 calls on Accenture Plc and short January 2028 $280 calls on Accenture Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

7 Best Machine Learning Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

An in-depth look at the best machine learning stocks in the U.S. stock market this year.

Key Points

Best machine learning stocks in 2026

1. Nvidia

Key Data Points

2. Tesla

Key Data Points

3. Accenture

Key Data Points

4. ServiceNow

Key Data Points

5. Snowflake

Key Data Points

6. CrowdStrike Holdings

Key Data Points

7. Palantir Technologies

Key Data Points

How to invest in machine learning stocks

Benefits and risks of investing in machine learning stocks

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Should you invest in machine learning stocks?

Related investing topics

Best AI Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

10 Companies Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Meaningful Ways

How AI Is Impacting the World of Investing and 8 Ways You Can Use It

The Largest Technology Companies by Market Cap in August 2026

Investing in machine learning stocks: FAQ

Which company is leading in machine learning?

Which company is leading in machine learning?

Are machine learning stocks suitable for long-term investors?

Are machine learning stocks suitable for long-term investors?

How do machine learning stocks differ from general tech stocks?

How do machine learning stocks differ from general tech stocks?

Do machine learning stocks pay dividends?

Do machine learning stocks pay dividends?

How can investors stay updated on trends in machine learning stocks?

How can investors stay updated on trends in machine learning stocks?

About the Author

Read Next

Stocks Mentioned

Motley Fool Stock Advisor’s Latest Pick

Premium Investing Services

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

3. Accenture

Key Data Points

4. ServiceNow

Key Data Points

5. Snowflake

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

How to invest in machine learning stocks

Benefits and risks of investing in machine learning stocks

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Should you invest in machine learning stocks?

Best AI Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

10 Companies Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Meaningful Ways

How AI Is Impacting the World of Investing and 8 Ways You Can Use It

The Largest Technology Companies by Market Cap in August 2026

Investing in machine learning stocks: FAQ

Which company is leading in machine learning?

Which company is leading in machine learning?

Are machine learning stocks suitable for long-term investors?

Are machine learning stocks suitable for long-term investors?

How do machine learning stocks differ from general tech stocks?

How do machine learning stocks differ from general tech stocks?

Do machine learning stocks pay dividends?

Do machine learning stocks pay dividends?

How can investors stay updated on trends in machine learning stocks?

How can investors stay updated on trends in machine learning stocks?

6. CrowdStrike Holdings