Best AI ETFs in 2026

How We Chose These ETFs

Selecting the right ETFs for artificial intelligence investors requires a careful evaluation of multiple factors. We analyzed dozens of funds across the industry and narrowed our recommendations based on the following criteria. Each factor was weighted according to its importance for investors in this specific category, ensuring that our picks are truly optimized for your goals.

1. Exposure to the — Exposure to the most transformative technology trend of the decade
2. Diversified AI exposure — Diversified AI exposure across hardware, software, and applications
3. Access to both — Access to both pure-play AI companies and enabling infrastructure
4. Long-term growth driven — Long-term growth driven by accelerating AI adoption across industries

We also factored in our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score, which evaluates each fund on a 1-to-10 scale considering expense ratios, volatility (beta), diversification (holdings count), dividend history, and track record length. Funds that score consistently high across these dimensions earned a spot on our list.

1. Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ) — Best Overall

Global X • Robotics/AI

BOTZ invests in companies leading the development and production of robotics, automation systems, and artificial intelligence technologies worldwide. It holds industrial robot makers, AI software developers, and autonomous vehicle technology firms. This fund is designed for investors who believe automation and AI will reshape industries over the coming decades.

Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF earns its spot as our best overall pick because it delivers on the metrics that matter most for artificial intelligence investors. With an expense ratio of just 0.68%, you keep more of your returns working for you over time. The fund manages $2.5B in total assets, which speaks to its popularity and ensures strong liquidity with tight bid-ask spreads when you buy or sell shares.

Over the past five years, BOTZ has delivered a total return of 12.00%, outperforming many of its peers and rewarding patient, long-term investors. The fund holds 45 individual securities, giving you focused exposure to a curated selection of holdings. Its beta of 1.15 indicates that the fund is somewhat more volatile than the market as a whole, offering higher upside potential but also larger drawdowns during corrections.

BOTZ currently pays a dividend yield of 0.30%, providing investors with a stream of regular income on top of capital appreciation. Dividends are typically distributed quarterly and can be automatically reinvested through most major brokerages, accelerating the compounding process. With a track record stretching back to 2016, BOTZ has demonstrated its ability to perform across different market environments over a meaningful period. Our Beginner Suitability Score rates it 7.5/10 (Great for Beginners), reflecting its excellent combination of low costs, manageable volatility, and broad diversification.

2. ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO) — Runner-Up

ROBO Global • Robotics/Automation

ROBO tracks an index of companies involved in robotics, automation, and AI-related technologies across the entire value chain. It uses an equal-weight approach that gives smaller specialized firms as much influence as large tech giants. This design makes it a broader and more diversified alternative to market-cap-weighted robotics funds.

ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF earns its spot as our runner-up pick because it delivers on the metrics that matter most for artificial intelligence investors. With an expense ratio of just 0.95%, you keep more of your returns working for you over time. The fund manages $1.0B in total assets, which speaks to its popularity and ensures strong liquidity with tight bid-ask spreads when you buy or sell shares.

Over the past five years, ROBO has delivered a total return of 9.00%, outperforming many of its peers and rewarding patient, long-term investors. The fund holds 80 individual securities, giving you focused exposure to a curated selection of holdings. Its beta of 1.10 indicates that the fund is somewhat more volatile than the market as a whole, offering higher upside potential but also larger drawdowns during corrections.

ROBO currently pays a dividend yield of 0.20%, providing investors with a stream of regular income on top of capital appreciation. Dividends are typically distributed quarterly and can be automatically reinvested through most major brokerages, accelerating the compounding process. With a track record stretching back to 2013, ROBO has demonstrated its ability to perform across different market environments over a meaningful period. Our Beginner Suitability Score rates it 8/10 (Great for Beginners), reflecting its excellent combination of low costs, manageable volatility, and broad diversification.

3. iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) — Best for Tech Exposure

BlackRock • Semiconductors

SOXX tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index, investing in 30 of the largest U.S.-listed semiconductor companies that design and manufacture chips. Semiconductors power everything from smartphones to data centers to AI systems. Beginners interested in the chip industry find SOXX appealing because it provides diversified exposure to this critical technology subsector rather than betting on a single chipmaker.

iShares Semiconductor ETF earns its spot as our best for tech exposure pick because it delivers on the metrics that matter most for artificial intelligence investors. With an expense ratio of just 0.35%, you keep more of your returns working for you over time. The fund manages $14.0B in total assets, which speaks to its popularity and ensures strong liquidity with tight bid-ask spreads when you buy or sell shares.

Over the past five years, SOXX has delivered a total return of 28.20%, outperforming many of its peers and rewarding patient, long-term investors. The fund holds 30 individual securities, giving you focused exposure to a curated selection of holdings. Its beta of 1.35 indicates that the fund is somewhat more volatile than the market as a whole, offering higher upside potential but also larger drawdowns during corrections.

SOXX currently pays a dividend yield of 0.60%, providing investors with a stream of regular income on top of capital appreciation. Dividends are typically distributed quarterly and can be automatically reinvested through most major brokerages, accelerating the compounding process. With a track record stretching back to 2001, SOXX has weathered multiple market cycles including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic, proving its resilience. Our Beginner Suitability Score rates it 7/10 (Moderate), reflecting its solid fundamentals with some factors that newer investors should be aware of.

4. VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) — Best for Stability

VanEck • Semiconductors

SMH tracks the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, holding the 25 largest and most liquid semiconductor companies. Unlike SOXX, SMH is market-cap-weighted, which gives more influence to the biggest chipmakers like NVIDIA and TSMC. Beginners choosing between SMH and SOXX should know that SMH is more concentrated in mega-cap chip stocks, which has driven its stronger performance during the AI boom.

VanEck Semiconductor ETF earns its spot as our best for stability pick because it delivers on the metrics that matter most for artificial intelligence investors. With an expense ratio of just 0.35%, you keep more of your returns working for you over time. The fund manages $20.0B in total assets, which speaks to its popularity and ensures strong liquidity with tight bid-ask spreads when you buy or sell shares.

Over the past five years, SMH has delivered a total return of 29.80%, outperforming many of its peers and rewarding patient, long-term investors. The fund holds 25 individual securities, giving you focused exposure to a curated selection of holdings. Its beta of 1.38 indicates that the fund is somewhat more volatile than the market as a whole, offering higher upside potential but also larger drawdowns during corrections.

SMH currently pays a dividend yield of 0.50%, providing investors with a stream of regular income on top of capital appreciation. Dividends are typically distributed quarterly and can be automatically reinvested through most major brokerages, accelerating the compounding process. With a track record stretching back to 2011, SMH has weathered multiple market cycles including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic, proving its resilience. Our Beginner Suitability Score rates it 7/10 (Moderate), reflecting its solid fundamentals with some factors that newer investors should be aware of.

Comparison Table

Here is a side-by-side comparison of all 4 ETFs in our artificial intelligence category. This table highlights the key metrics you should evaluate when choosing between these funds. Pay close attention to expense ratios and beginner scores, as these are the most impactful factors for long-term investment success.

*Beginner Score is calculated based on expense ratio, beta, holdings count, dividend yield, and fund inception year. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Common Mistakes Artificial Intelligence Investors Make

Even with a solid selection of ETFs, investors in the artificial intelligence category can undermine their results by falling into avoidable traps. Understanding these common pitfalls will help you stay on track and avoid costly errors that could set back your financial progress by years or even decades.

• 1

  Buying AI ETFs after: Buying AI ETFs after massive run-ups when valuations are extreme

• 2

  Not understanding that many: Not understanding that many AI ETFs hold very different companies

• 3

  Overweighting AI when broad: Overweighting AI when broad tech ETFs already have significant AI exposure

• 4

  Confusing AI hype with: Confusing AI hype with sustainable business model profitability

The best defense against these mistakes is a simple, written investment plan that you commit to following regardless of market conditions. Define your target allocation, set up automatic contributions, and schedule a review only once or twice per year. This removes emotion from the process and keeps you focused on long-term wealth building rather than short-term noise.

Frequently Asked Questions