The Ultimate AI ETF Guide: 3 Funds to Supercharge Your Portfolio in 2025
AI ETFs are eating traditional funds' lunch—and your portfolio wants a piece.
Forget waiting for the next tech unicorn IPO. These three AI-focused ETFs deliver concentrated exposure to the machine learning revolution that's reshaping everything from healthcare to finance.
Portfolio Rocket Fuel
The first fund packs pure-play AI companies developing neural networks that actually generate revenue—not just hype. Think semiconductor makers and cloud infrastructure players building the literal brains behind the AI boom.
Automation Nation
Second fund targets robotics and automation stocks that replace human labor with algorithms. These companies aren't just talking about AI—they're implementing systems that cut operational costs by 40% while boosting efficiency.
Data Dominance
Third ETF focuses on data analytics and processing firms. Because what good is AI without the fuel? These companies handle the massive datasets required to train next-generation models.
Wall Street's still trying to value these companies using metrics from the fax machine era—meanwhile, the AI train's leaving the station.
Image source: Getty Images.
1. Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF
The(AIQ -0.87%) attempts to track the performance of the. Mirae Asset Securities launched the fund on May 11, 2018, making it one of the older pure-play AI ETFs.
This ETF's net assets under management currently total $5.38 billion. That makes the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF one of the largest ETFs specializing in AI stocks.
You'll gain broad exposure to AI with this ETF. Its portfolio includes 88 stocks. The top five holdings for the ETF are database and cloud giant, Chinese technology leader, Google parent, electric vehicle and robot maker, and huge South Korean technology company.
The fund's annual expense ratio is 0.68%. However, that has been a low price to pay for a stellar performance. Since its inception, the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF has delivered an average annual return of 16.6%. Over the past year, the ETF has soared by almost 23%.
2. iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF
You aren't limited to AI-focused index ETFs. The(BAI -1.08%) is an actively managed fund run by financial services giant. The ETF's investment managers, Tony Kim and Reid Menge, research global AI and technology stocks across all market caps.
The iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF owns 39 stocks. Its top holdings include GPU maker, semiconductor and infrastructure software company, Facebook and Instagram parent, cloud and software giant, and Oracle.
This ETF is even larger than the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF, with its net assets of $5.8 billion. It hasn't been around as long, though: BlackRock launched the iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF on Oct. 21, 2024.
Its net expense ratio of 0.55% is quite competitive against most AI ETFs. One downside of the fund, however, is that it hasn't been available long enough to establish a performance track record to compare against other ETFs.
3. ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF
One of the most exciting applications for AI is in robotics. The(ROBO -0.33%) provides a way to invest in companies across the world that are pioneering innovations in robotics, automation, and AI.
This ETF's portfolio features 77 stocks. Its top holdings include Japanese precision controls maker, robotic warehouse automation leader, industrial robot developer, AI-powered robot maker, and Taiwanese electronics giant, which is commonly known as Foxconn.
ROBO Global and Exchange Traded Concepts launched the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF on Oct. 21, 2013. Since then, the fund has generated an average annual return of roughly 8.4%. Over the last year, it's been an even bigger winner, with a gain of around 15.6%.
You'll have to pay a little more to own this ETF than the other two funds on this list, though. The ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF's annual expense ratio is 0.95%.
