Two Ways to Invest in the Future of AI
Artificial intelligence is no longer a “someday” technology. It is already being deployed across enterprise software, advertising, logistics, cybersecurity, healthcare workflows, customer service, and manufacturing automation. The market opportunity is still expanding, and projections remain enormous.
One widely cited estimate from Grand View Research pegs the global AI market at about $136.55 billion in 2022, with a path to $1.81 trillion by 2030. Separate research from Accenture has argued that AI could boost profitability by 38% on average by 2035 and contribute $14 trillion in additional gross value added across industries and economies (under the right adoption conditions).
The takeaway is simple:
AI is likely to remain a durable, multi-year investment theme.
The challenge is implementation. Many investors default to the “obvious” AI leaders (chips, hyperscalers, and a handful of mega-caps). But single-stock bets come with concentration risk, valuation risk, and headline risk—especially in a theme where leadership can rotate fast.
A more “portfolio-friendly” way to participate is through AI-focused ETFs. ETFs can:
spread exposure across dozens of companies tied to AI development and adoption,
reduce single-stock blowups,
and capture multiple layers of the AI stack (hardware, software, data, infrastructure, and applications).
No AI investment is truly “safe,” but diversified ETFs can be a more risk-managed approach than trying to pick winners one-by-one.
Below are two ETF ideas that offer distinct angles on the AI opportunity.
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AD1
ETF: Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (SYM: AIQ)
Broad AI + big data exposure
AIQ is designed to provide exposure to companies expected to benefit from the development and utilization of AI and big data, tracking the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index.
AIQ’s appeal is that it isn’t limited to one narrow slice of the theme. It often includes a mix of:
AI infrastructure beneficiaries,
software and platform companies,
and data-centric businesses that can monetize AI-enabled products and workflows.
That breadth matters because AI adoption does not move in a straight line. Some years, semis lead. Other years, the market rewards platforms, enterprise software, or “AI-enabled” business models. A broader basket can help stay invested through those rotations.
Cost and structure: AIQ’s net expense ratio is commonly listed at 0.68%.
How AIQ can be used
As a core thematic sleeve for investors who want AI exposure without picking individual names.
As a complement to mega-cap tech exposure, expanding coverage beyond just the obvious leaders.
Risk considerations
Thematic ETFs can be volatile and may underperform in risk-off tape.
AIQ still has meaningful exposure to large tech and AI-adjacent equities, so it can correlate with broader growth-stock drawdowns.
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AD2
ETF: Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (SYM: BOTZ)
Automation + robotics “real economy” angle
BOTZ targets a different side of the AI opportunity: robotics, automation, and AI-driven industrial and non-industrial applications. Global X describes the fund as investing in companies that may benefit from the increased adoption of robotics and AI technologies, tracking the Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index.
In many ways, BOTZ is a “picks-and-shovels” portfolio for automation. It can capture:
industrial automation and robotics platforms,
autonomous systems and enabling technologies,
and companies positioned to benefit as labor shortages, reshoring, and productivity pressures push firms toward automation.
This is a different expression of the AI story than “just buy the biggest AI chip names.” It leans into the idea that AI’s biggest long-term impact may show up in efficiency and productivity gains across manufacturing, logistics, and services—consistent with the Accenture framing around profitability improvements.
Cost and structure: BOTZ’s total expense ratio is commonly listed at 0.68%.
How BOTZ can be used
Risk considerations
Robotics and automation can be cyclical: capex budgets tighten in slowdowns.
BOTZ can be volatile, and factor rotations (growth vs. value) can affect performance.
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