Artificial intelligence is already reshaping industries and driving real revenue growth for the companies building and powering it. From chips and cloud infrastructure to software and automation, AI is becoming a core competitive advantage.
Below are some of the top AI stocks to consider buying now, followed by tips on how to invest in the space.
Seven AI stocks to buy in 2026
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Dividend yield | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) | $4.6 trillion | 0.02% | Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment |
| Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) | $4.0 trillion | 0.25% | Interactive Media and Services |
| Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) | $4.0 trillion | 0.25% | Interactive Media and Services |
| Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) | $3.5 trillion | 0.73% | Software |
| CoreWeave (NASDAQ:CRWV) | $46.3 billion | 0.00% | IT Services |
| Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) | $1.7 trillion | 0.32% | Interactive Media and Services |
| Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) | $123.6 billion | 0.00% | Software |
| Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) | $389.2 billion | 0.61% | Multiline Retail |
1. Nvidia
NASDAQ: NVDA
Key Data Points
Nvidia (NVDA +1.53%) has become the backbone of the AI revolution. Its graphics processing units (GPUs) are the industry standard for training and running large language models, making the company one of the earliest and biggest beneficiaries of generative AI.
Once known primarily for gaming chips, Nvidia now supplies the core hardware for data centers worldwide. Its data center segment generates the vast majority of revenue, fueled by surging demand from cloud providers and AI developers.
Revenue has exploded since 2023, with full-year sales reaching $130.5 billion in 2024, up 114% year over year, and growth continuing into 2025. Nvidia has also expanded beyond chips, offering full-stack AI infrastructure that includes networking, software, and systems designed to run AI workloads at scale.
The company is currently rolling out its Blackwell platform, with the next-generation Rubin platform expected in the second half of 2026. Demand continues to outstrip supply, underscoring Nvidia’s dominant position.
Beyond data centers, Nvidia is investing in autonomous vehicles, robotics, and “physical AI.” These initiatives remain a small part of revenue today, but they could become meaningful growth drivers for Nvidia over time.
2. Alphabet
NASDAQ: GOOGL
Key Data Points
NASDAQ: MSFT
Key Data Points
NASDAQ: CRWV
Key Data Points
NASDAQ: META
Key Data Points
6. Adobe
NASDAQ: ADBE
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NYSE: BABA
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AI technologies powering these companies
Most AI innovation across these stocks falls into a few core categories:
- Machine learning: Models trained on large datasets to identify patterns and make predictions.
- Deep learning: Advanced neural networks used in language models, image recognition, and autonomous systems.
- Generative AI: Tools that create text, images, video, or code in response to prompts.
Pros and cons of investing in AI stocks
Pros
- Significant long-term growth potential
- Broad adoption across industries
- Potentially transformative technology
Cons
- Valuations can be volatile
- Heavy capital spending may not pay off
- Competition and disruption remain intense
What to consider when investing in AI stocks
Investing in AI stocks requires a lot of the same analysis and considerations as investing in any stock. Here are some things to consider if you're investing in AI stocks.
Look for durable advantages
Most AI stocks are well-established tech companies, but some have stronger competitive advantages than others in AI. Nvidia, for example, dominates the market for data center GPUs, giving it a strong competitive advantage.
Understand the business model
There are lots of different ways to make money in AI. There are chip companies like Nvidia, infrastructure companies like CoreWeave, software companies like Adobe, and companies like Microsoft that are diversified across verticals. Each one of these subsectors offers a different set of risks and opportunities, and it's important to understand how they differ from each other.
Assess AI exposure
Most tech stocks are doing something with AI, but some companies have more exposure than others. Nvidia and CoreWeave, for example, are virtually pure-play AI stocks, making most of their revenue directly by powering AI. Meta, on the other hand, makes almost all of its revenue from advertising, though it says that AI has enhanced its advertising product.
The bottom line
AI is already translating into real revenue and sustained investment, and the strongest opportunities in 2026 are coming from the companies building and deploying AI at scale.
If you’re investing in AI stocks, a long-term mindset and diversification across several leaders can help balance growth potential with risk.
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FAQ
Artificial intelligence stocks: FAQ
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