You probably interact with artificial intelligence (AI) more often than you think. AI is powering the algorithm arranging your Netflix (NFLX +0.15%) menu, the software expediting your Amazon (AMZN +0.10%) package, and the brains behind many smartphone apps you use every day. AI exchange-traded funds (ETFs) -- ETFs made up of AI stocks -- offer one option for investing in AI. AI ETFs are funds that hold AI stocks or have some kind of AI theme.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)
If you've used ChatGPT -- the OpenAI chatbot that has wowed users by writing code and instantly answering complex questions -- or a similar chatbot, you've glimpsed into the next frontier in AI, known as generative AI.
Big tech companies, including Alphabet's (GOOG -0.00%) (GOOGL -0.08%) Gemini and Meta Platforms' (META +0.39%) Meta AI, have developed AI chatbots and other generative AI tools, and usage has soared. Meta reported that Meta AI had 1 billion active users by early 2025.
As shown in The Motley Fool's 2026 AI Investor Outlook Report, investors remain bullish on AI investments. If you want portfolio exposure to AI companies but don't want to identify individual AI stocks, investing in an AI-focused ETF is a good option. AI ETFs provide exposure to a broad range of the best AI companies, so you don't need to research and choose individual stocks on your own.
Best AI ETFs to buy in 2025
AI ETF | Assets Under Management | Expense Ratio |
|---|---|---|
Global X Artificial Intelligence and Technology ETF (NASDAQ:AIQ) | $5.98 billion | 0.68% |
Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (NASDAQ:BOTZ) | $3 billion | 0.68% |
Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (NYSEMKT:ROBO) | $1.15 billion | 0.95% |
iShares Future AI and Tech ETF (NYSEMKT:ARTY) | $1.66 billion | 0.47% |
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (NASDAQ:ROBT) | $609.9 million | 0.65% |
1. Global X Artificial Intelligence and Technology ETF
NASDAQ: AIQ
Key Data Points
Global X Artificial Intelligence and Technology ETF (AIQ +0.29%) is the largest AI ETF and a good first choice for investors looking for an AI ETF. The ETF started in 2018 and aims to invest in companies that can benefit from the development of AI technology, as well as companies that make hardware facilitating the use of AI.
According to Global X, the global AI market is expected to grow from $184 billion in 2024 to $826.7 billion in 2030, so the stocks in the fund should have a lot of growth in front of them. The ETF has 86 stocks, and the biggest holdings will be familiar to most investors. As of late 2025, the top 10 holdings accounted for about 33% of the fund. Here are the top five:
- Alphabet: The search giant is doing a lot more than that with AI and more these days. It owns Waymo, the leading autonomous vehicle division, profits are soaring at Google Cloud, and its Gemini is challenging OpenAI's ChatGPT.
- Samsung (SSNL.F +56.02%): The Korean tech giant is the world's No. 2 chipmaker and is well-known for devices like smartphones. It has introduced AI features such as live translate and chat assist to help users write messages.
- Tesla (TSLA -0.03%): The electric vehicle (EV) maker is evolving past EVs, rolling out an autonomous ride-sharing program, and CEO Elon Musk is focused on its autonomous robot Optimus and AI products beyond that.
- Advanced Micro Devices (AMD +0.07%): The leading fabless chip company has moved further into AI with several acquisitions and advanced franchises such as its Instinct graphics processing units (GPUs), EPYC data center central processing units (CPUs), and Ryzen AI CPUs for PCs.
- Broadcom (AVGO +0.26%): A leading fabless semiconductor company known for networking, infrastructure, and custom chips. It's also diversified into other businesses such as cybersecurity and virtualization software.
Cloud Computing
As you can see from the chart below, the Global X ETF has outperformed over its history, likely with the help of stocks like AMD and Alphabet that have soared lately.
2. Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF
NASDAQ: BOTZ
Key Data Points
Established in 2016, the Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ -0.03%) is similar to the Global X Artificial Intelligence and Technology ETF but with a focus on robotics. The fund invests in "companies that potentially stand to benefit from increased adoption and utilization of robotics and artificial intelligence."
This includes enterprises working in industrial robotics, automation, non-industrial robots, and autonomous vehicles. According to Global X, the global robotics market was valued at more than $80 billion in 2022 and could grow to $280 billion by 2032.
The ETF held 52 stocks in late 2025, and its top five holdings made up almost 40% of the fund:
- Nvidia (NVDA -0.32%): This semiconductor maker's chips are used in a wide variety of applications -- including autonomous vehicles, virtual computing, and cryptocurrency mining -- and are central to many AI technologies.
- FANUC (FANUY +1.06%): This Japanese maker of factory automation products includes motors, lasers, and robots in its product lineup.
- ABB (ABBN.Y +0.51%): This Swiss company makes industrial automation and robotics products used in utilities and infrastructure.
- Intuitive Surgical (ISRG -0.03%): This company makes the da Vinci robotic surgical system, which allows for minimally invasive surgeries with precise control.
- Keyence (KYCCF +0.12%): This Japanese company makes factory automation products such as sensors and scanners.
As the chart below shows, shares of the ETF have underperformed the S&P 500 index since its 2016 launch. The share price fell sharply in 2022 in line with the broad sell-off in tech stocks, although it has rebounded since then.
The ETF offered a modest dividend yield of 0.22% in December 2025, but it is better suited as a growth-oriented investment. It's an actively managed fund with an expense ratio of 0.68%, which is more than what you'd pay for most index funds.
3. Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF
NYSEMKT: ROBO
Key Data Points
The Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO +0.01%) focuses on companies driving "transformative innovations in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence." This ETF invests in companies primarily focused on AI, cloud computing, and other technology companies.
The ETF holds 77 stocks, with no single holding accounting for more than 2.5% of the ETF's value. Its top five holdings comprise only about 10% of the fund's total value. In late 2025, major holdings included FANUC, Intuitive Surgical, and three others:
- Teradyne (TER +0.01%): A maker of automated test equipment and robotics systems for applications such as testing semiconductors and other hardware.
- Koh Young Technology: A provider of advanced 3D measurement and inspection tools for electronics manufacturing.
- Symbotic (SYM -0.93%): A tech company that makes software and robotics for warehouses, including end-to-end systems for automation.
Since its inception in 2013, the Robo ETF has underperformed the S&P 500, as the chart below shows. It trails the broad market index, with dividends factored into the return. The ETF pays a dividend yield of 0.5%, and its expense ratio is 0.95%.
4. iShares Future AI and Tech ETF
NYSEMKT: ARTY
Key Data Points
The iShares Future AI and Tech ETF (ARTY +0.39%) aims to track the results of an index of developed and emerging markets companies that could benefit from long-term opportunities in robotics and AI. The ETF was formed in 2018 and has about $1.7 billion in net assets.
With 48 stock holdings, it's now well diversified. Many of its top holdings also give investors exposure to fast-growing small-cap companies. The fund's top five investments as of late 2025 accounted for about 25% of the ETF's assets and included Nvidia, Broadcom, and AMD, plus:
- Vertiv Holdings (VRT +0.37%): A maker of infrastructure technologies for data centers, communication networks, and industrial applications, its systems help manage power supply, cooling, and monitoring.
- Advantest: A Japanese company known as a global leader for automated test equipment for semiconductors, which is a key part of the supply chain and bringing semiconductors to market.
As you can see from the chart below, the ETF has underperformed the S&P 500 since its founding. The ETF fell in 2022 when tech stocks crashed.
The expense ratio is competitive at 0.47%, and the trailing-12-month yield as of November 2025 was 0.15%. The fund's performance will likely be heavily influenced by the overall performance of cloud and chip stocks since they're the largest areas of exposure for the fund.
5. First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF
NASDAQ: ROBT
Key Data Points
The First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT +0.22%) tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics index, which comprises companies engaged in AI and robotics in technology, industrials, and other sectors. The fund held 113 stocks in late 2025.
Top holdings included Symbotic and four others:
- PROS Holdings (NYSE:PRO): This is an AI-powered software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that makes tools for price optimization and improved sales. It's a major provider for the airline industry and serves other industries as well.
- UiPath (PATH +7.52%): A maker of robotic process automation software, or AI-powered bots that handle repetitive tasks and workflows for companies.
- AutoStore Holdings (OTC:AUTSF): This Norwegian company provides modular, robotic warehouse automation systems in a cube storage design. The company calls itself the world's fastest automated storage and retrieval system.
- Appian (APPN +0.11%): A cloud software company focused on automating workflows through AI. Appian has evolved from a low-code software company.
Types of AI ETFs
As the chart above shows, there are different types of AI ETFs available to investors. Here are a few of the broad categories.
- Tech-focused AI ETFs: These ETFs are more likely to carry semiconductor stocks and pure tech stocks that are influencing AI.
- Robotics and physical AI: On the other end of the spectrum are companies working on developing the real-world machines that run on AI. Relatedly, there are maintenance, equipment, and testing companies as well.
- Small-cap versus large-cap: Some ETFs focus more on large-cap companies, while others, like First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF, hold a lot of smaller-cap stocks.
- Other options: Investors can also consider related ETFs like those that carry semiconductors or are centered around other high-tech applications.
Pros and cons of investing in AI ETFs
Here are some pros and cons of investing in AI ETFs.
Pros:
- They're an easy way to get exposure to AI stocks.
- They save time and effort compared to buying individual stocks.
- Global X Artificial Intelligence and Technology ETF, the biggest AI ETF, has a track record of outperforming the S&P 500.
- They can give you exposure to lesser-known robotics and international stocks.
Cons:
- Most AI ETFs have underperformed the S&P 500.
- They tend to be more expensive than other ETFs.
- They have lagged behind high-profile AI stocks like Nvidia.
- High-performing chip stocks aren't always included in AI ETFs.
Criteria for selecting AI ETFs
If you're thinking of buying an AI ETF, you'll want to choose the right one for you. Some criteria to help you choose an AI ETF include:
- Past performance: ETFs with a stronger track record are more likely to outperform.
- Top holdings: This can give you a quick sense of where the ETF is allocating its funds.
- Strategy: Some ETFs are actively managed, while others follow an index or an underlying group of stocks.
- Valuation: Some ETFs are cheaper than others.
- Expense ratio: Some ETFs cost more to own than others.
- Dividend yield: A healthy dividend yield can make up for slower growth.
Should I buy AI ETFs?
The best way to decide which ETF to buy is to consider the stocks that a fund holds and the number of true AI companies. A fund's expense ratio, dividend yield, and past performance are also important, and you can opt to invest in a basket of all five of these AI ETFs to maximize your diversification.
Over time, AI will grow smarter and play a greater role in our daily lives. Already, AI represents a global market worth hundreds of billions of dollars, and its wide range of practical applications includes facial recognition, predictive algorithms in internet search, smart-home devices, and autonomous vehicles. Pay attention to the AI market now, and you may find yourself reaping the rewards in years to come.
Related investing topics
Who should invest in AI ETFs?
AI ETFs aren't right for everybody, but they're a good fit for some investors. If these descriptions fit your investing style, AI ETFs could work for you.
- You have a high risk tolerance.
- You have a long time horizon.
- You'd prefer one investment of several individual stocks.
- You like the convenience of an ETF compared to individual stocks.
- You're looking for a wide range of exposure to AI stocks.
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