Artificial Intelligence Stocks To Buy And Watch Amid Rising AI Competition By Investors Business Daily
Artificial intelligence stocks are rarer than you might think. Many companies tout AI technology initiatives and machine learning. But there really are few — if any — public, pure-play artificial intelligence stocks.
Instead, look for companies using AI technology to improve products or gain a strategic edge, such as Netflix (NFLX). Intel (INTC), Alphabet’s (GOOGL) Google and Microsoft (MSFT) in 2019 made the most investments in AI startups, said a CB Insights venture capital report.
Microsoft, Nvidia Among AI Plays On Leaderboard
Microsoft is part of the IBD Leaderboard. The Leaderboard is IBD’s curated list of leading stocks that stand out on technical and fundamental metrics. Chip maker Nvidia (NVDA), a leader in artificial intelligence, also belongs to the Leaderboard.
Aside from chip makers, some software companies are among artificial intelligence stocks to watch. Many software-as-a-service companies use AI tools.
Enterprise software maker ServiceNow (NOW) has been making AI acquisitions. Under new Chief Executive Bill McDermott, ServiceNow in January acquired two AI companies, Passage AI and Loom Systems. ServiceNow owns a Relative Strength Rating of 93 out of a possible 99.
DocuSign (DOCU) on Feb. 27 agreed to buy Seal Software for $188 million. The startup uses artificial intelligence for contract analytics.
Intel on Dec. 16 acquired Israel-based Habana Labs for $2 billion. Intel in 2016 bought Nervana Systems in an earlier move to take on AI chip leader Nvidia.
Analysts expect the battle in AI chips for data-center applications to heat up in 2020.
AI technology uses computer algorithms. The software programs aim to mimic the human ability to learn, interpret patterns and make predictions. “Machine learning” is the most widely used form of AI deployed in industries. Machine learning systems use huge troves of data to train algorithms to recognize patterns and make predictions.
AI Stocks: Chipmakers Nvidia, Intel Battle
All AI software needs computing power to find patterns and make inferences from large quantities of data. The race is on between Intel, Nvidia and others to build AI chips for data centers, self-driving cars, robotics, smartphones, drones and other devices.
AI chipmaker Graphcore recently raised $150 million at a $1.95 billion valuation. SambaNova Systems, another AI chip startup, raised $250 million at a $2.5 billion valuation.
It’s no secret that Alphabet, Microsoft, Facebook (FB) and Amazon.com (AMZN) are all spending big bucks on AI technology. The tech giants are putting AI in consumer products and services, such as voice-activated smart home devices.
Amazon uses AI to customize online retail offerings and recommend products to website visitors. Facebook uses AI to enhance its activity feed, photo and social media apps.
Meanwhile, Netflix utilizes AI to personalize its internet TV content for subscribers. Netflix stock also is on the Leaderboard.
Amazon, Google and Microsoft also are pushing AI technology into cloud computing. They sell AI analytical services to business customers on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Omdia forecasts that annual AI software revenue will increase from $9.7 billion worldwide in 2018 to $119.3 billion in 2025.
Artificial Intelligence Stocks Span Industries
Private venture funding of artificial intelligence jumped 18% in 2019 to $26.2 billion, despite the broader venture market falling 16% in the same period, said a Goldman Sachs report.
In addition, AI competition is fierce in many industries. They include financial services, health care and cybersecurity. Worldwide spending on AI software for retail uses will boom to $9.8 billion in 2025, up from $1.3 billion in 2019, forecasts Omdia.
In the energy industry, startup C3.ai has teamed with Baker Hughes (BKR) and Microsoft to use artificial intelligence in preventive maintenance. Thomas Siebel, who started Siebel Systems and sold it to Oracle for nearly $6 billion in 2006, founded C3.ai.
Another example of AI competition lies in enterprise software, where Salesforce.com (CRM), Adobe Systems (ADBE) and others compete. The IBD 50 roster of growth stocks has featured artificial intelligence stocks in online dating, digital advertising and business communications.
Salesforce’s Einstein tools improve sales forecasts. The AI software uses a company’s historical lead and account data to predict which deals are more likely to close. In e-commerce, Adobe’s AI tools personalize website content to spotlight products or services that online shoppers are most likely to buy.
In addition, other companies using AI include:
Match Group (MTCH): Controlled by IAC (IAC), Match is using artificial intelligence to improve its Tinder mobile dating app. Tinder’s new “Super Likable” feature uses machine learning.
Trade Desk (TTD): The digital advertising firm provides automated tools to help customers buy online ads and optimize return on spending. Trade Desk’s AI tools identify the best websites to buy ads on.
Cybersecurity Firms Among Artificial Intelligence Stocks
Here are other stocks to consider:
• Coupa Software (COUP): the maker of what is known as business spend management software has pushed into AI data analytics for transactions between some 1,300 customers and 5 million suppliers in its network.
• Five9 (FIVN): A provider of cloud-based contact center software, Five9 is developing machine learning algorithms that help companies automate customer support. Five9 is partnering with Google on AI contact center software.
• Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA): The credit card networks use AI tools to detect financial crimes such as fraud and money laundering. Big banks use AI in chat bots that provide online customer services.
• Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and Fortinet (FTNT): With artificial intelligence, the cybersecurity firms aim to spot and block malicious activity on computer networks better than existing technologies can.
U.S., China Battle In Artificial Intelligence
Meanwhile, Nvidia’s chips are used in cloud computing data centers. Nvidia also has many ongoing automotive AI projects. Intel and many startups are also designing AI chips for data center customers as well as self-driving cars.
Then there’s Cubic (CUB), which has gained from increased U.S. defense spending to improve the military’s AI prowess.
In addition, others to keep an eye on include IBM (IBM), Accenture (ACN), Epam Systems (EPAM) and other IT services companies.
The U.S. is racing versus China and other countries to develop artificial intelligence technology. In January, the U.S. government placed restrictions on the export of AI software.
Further, the use of artificial intelligence in facial recognition and some other areas has become controversial. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has called for regulation of artificial intelligence.
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