Look no further than the hundreds of billions of dollars pouring into data centers to see that this artificial intelligence (AI) gold rush is no fluke. What started with OpenAI's ChatGPT and other bots is becoming autonomous AI agents that could begin replacing human workers in some roles over the coming years.
Additionally, new and innovative technologies will emerge that, eventually, become just another part of modern life. That potential has investors excited.
Holding the right tech stocks could mean life-changing investment returns. However, two companies that are winning big in AI have already built fortunes for early shareholders. More importantly, they can still deliver strong returns in the future.
Image source: Nvidia.
1. Nvidia: Its stock minted millionaires before AI was the next big thing
NASDAQ: NVDA
Key Data Points
Nvidia (NVDA 1.53%) is the quintessential AI stock. It has dominated the AI data center space as the designer and seller of the de facto go-to high-powered chips for training and operating frontier AI models from OpenAI and others. But years ago, Nvidia was known mostly in the gaming industry. Its graphics processing units (GPUs) were essential to running high-end games on personal computers.
Data by YCharts.
Technological advances eventually opened up opportunities for Nvidia in cryptocurrency mining and, ultimately, in AI. Nvidia's ascent has turned a $10,000 investment into a fortune since the late 1990s. The stock probably won't duplicate those returns, given that its current market cap is already a whopping $4.4 trillion. But with analysts calling for 46% annualized earnings growth over the next several years, the stock hasn't lost its wealth-building fastball.
2. Alphabet: What started as a search engine has become an all-around tech juggernaut
NASDAQ: GOOGL
Key Data Points
Alphabet (GOOGL 1.66%)(GOOG 1.69%), Google's parent company, is a textbook example of what consistent innovation can do for a tech business. Google was built on internet Search, and it remains the company's golden goose over two decades later.
But in that time, Alphabet has also become one of the top players across video and streaming, computer and smartphone software, cloud computing, AI, and autonomous vehicles. A $10,000 IPO investment back then would make you a millionaire today.
Data by YCharts.
As with Nvidia, Alphabet is a massive company, worth nearly $3.7 trillion today. Still, there is plenty of long-term upside residing in the stock. AI has been a catalyst for growth throughout Alphabet's various business segments. Even Google Search, which investors once believed was vulnerable to AI disruption, grew revenue by more than 16% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2025. Overall, analysts estimate that Alphabet's earnings will increase by nearly 15% annually over the next three to five years.
Nvidia and Alphabet may have peaked as millionaire-making home run stocks, but make no mistake: The driving factors for their remarkable pasts remain valid justification for buying and holding these winners moving forward.
