Dan Ives’ 2026 AI Picks: Microsoft, Apple, Tesla Lead Next Wave of Tech Dominance
Wedbush's Dan Ives has unveiled his top AI stock picks for 2026, betting on cloud infrastructure, consumer tech integration, and autonomous systems. Microsoft retains pole position with Azure's AI capabilities driving what Ives calls 'a $1 trillion cloud opportunity.' Apple follows as Tim Cook's extended tenure through 2027 signals aggressive AI monetization in devices—despite recent criticism of the company's delayed strategy.
Tesla emerges as the speculative play, with Ives projecting a $2 trillion valuation by 2026 if Cybercab production and robotics development meet targets. Palantir and CrowdStrike round out the list, representing data analytics and cybersecurity respectively—both sectors seeing 140%+ growth in 2025 from AI adoption.
Notably absent is Nvidia, which Ives acknowledges as 'the engine of the AI revolution' but considers fully valued. The selections reflect a shift from semiconductor plays to vertical applications, with Azure's infrastructure becoming the 'central nervous system' of enterprise AI.