Top 5 AI Infrastructure Stocks to Watch for Long-Term Growth

Artificial intelligence (AI) is more than just a passing trend—it's the defining innovation of our era, set to transform industries and daily life for decades to come.

Why AI Is Far From a Bubble

Recent reports show Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) CEO Mark Zuckerberg is taking unprecedented steps to secure AI talent by offering massive bonuses and personally recruiting top researchers. When influential leaders like Zuckerberg become personally involved in talent acquisition, it signals the significance and staying power of AI technology, far beyond the hype of previous tech bubbles.

Investing Beyond the Hype: The "Picks and Shovels" Approach

While the spotlight is often on which company will develop the first artificial general intelligence, savvy investors focus on companies providing the essential tools, platforms, and infrastructure for the AI ecosystem. Just as suppliers thrived during the California Gold Rush, these foundational companies are positioned to benefit from the AI surge, regardless of who leads the race in AI breakthroughs.

Let’s look at five companies that stand to profit from the AI boom:

1. Nvidia: Powering the AI and Robotics Revolution

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is known for its cutting-edge AI chips, but its transformation into a comprehensive AI computing platform is just as significant. Nvidia's technology is at the core of next-generation humanoid robots, intelligent systems, and autonomous vehicles. Its chips and software are preferred by developers for projects ranging from factory automation to self-driving cars. With the global robotics market projected to reach $375 billion by 2035, Nvidia is uniquely positioned as more than just a semiconductor giant.

2. Amazon: Increasing Margins Through Smart Automation

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) utilizes over 750,000 robots in its fulfillment centers, marking the beginning of a broad automation strategy. The real breakthrough lies in AI-powered robots that collaborate with employees, streamlining operations, reducing injuries, and significantly cutting costs. These efficiencies could potentially double Amazon's operating margins as automation becomes more advanced—a trend that investors are only just starting to recognize.

3. Meta Platforms: Tapping Into the AI-Powered Metaverse

Meta is investing billions in AI, with its true potential unfolding as artificial intelligence combines with the metaverse. AI-driven agents may soon build expansive virtual worlds, create incredibly realistic avatars, and provide instantaneous translations across global interactions. Analysts forecast the AI-enabled metaverse becoming a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity by 2035, offering vast growth prospects for early stakeholders.

4. ASML: An Unseen Monopoly in AI Hardware

ASML (NASDAQ: ASML) holds a critical monopoly with its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, which are essential for manufacturing advanced AI chips. Every leading AI chip—from Nvidia, AMD, to Intel—relies on ASML's technology. With a decade-long head start and a significant order backlog, ASML controls a vital part of the AI hardware supply chain.

5. S&P Global: Enabling Wall Street’s AI Evolution

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) supplies the data necessary for financial institutions to develop cutting-edge AI trading systems. Its Microsoft Copilot integration further expands access to 160 years of financial data, making S&P Global indispensable regardless of which bank or fund leads in AI development.

The Investment Takeaway

Owning the infrastructure behind AI is a strategic way to gain diversified exposure to this sector. These five stocks—spanning hardware, data, platforms, and automation—offer opportunities to capitalize on the ongoing AI transformation. Investors can also consider technology-focused ETFs, such as the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT), for broader exposure.

Instead of betting on individual AI breakthroughs, backing the companies building the foundation of the AI ecosystem may offer more stable, long-term growth potential.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.