Best AI ETFs: Top 10 Artificial Intelligence Funds for 2026

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking artificial intelligence (AI) products have exploded recently. In 2026, best AI ETFs have pulled in more than $20 billion in net inflows. These ETFs have been popular with investors because they offer a way to participate in the AI boom without direct risk exposure. 

The growing demand from investors has resulted in a significant rise in the number of AI ETFs. There are currently more than 92 of these being tracked in the United States. As a result, finding the best AI ETFs can be a bit of a challenge for most investors.

We have analyzed these ETFs and put together a list of the best performing AI ETFs worth considering, how they work, and how to choose the best one for your portfolio. At the end of this guide, you’ll easily be able to figure out the best AI ETFs to buy to improve your portfolio. 

Quick Comparison: Top AI ETFs & AI Funds by VentureBurn

If you’re looking for the top AI ETFs in 2026, don’t worry, we’ve made it easy for you. We’ve analyzed the returns, key holdings, expense ratios and unique selling points of the top AI infrastructure ETFs on the market.

The table below gives a quick overview of the best AI ETFs to invest in 2026.

Ticker Symbol	Expense Ratio	Primary Focus	Dividend Yield	Best For
AIQX	0.68%	Broad AI & Software Platforms	0.07%	Diversified AI exposure
CHAT	0.75%	Generative AI pure-play	1.74%	Generative AI investors
ARTY	0.47%	AI semiconductors	0.10%	Chip-focused growth investors
AIPI	0.65%	AI stocks + options income	34.21%	Income-seeking investors
AIS	0.75%	AI supply chain	0.00%	Active AI thematic investors
BOTZ	0.68%	Robotics + automation	0.71%	Industrial AI and robotics fans
ROBO	0.95%	Equal weight robotics	0.34%	Diversified robotics exposure
XAIX	0.35%	Global AI + big data	0.48%	Cost-conscious passive investors
ROBT	0.65%	AI + robotics tiered index	0.61%	Balanced AI/robotics allocation
AGIX	0.99%	Public + private AI companies	0.93%	Private AI access

 

What Is an Artificial Intelligence ETF and How Does It Work?

Imagine you want to build the ultimate collection of cars. It would normally involve going to car stands to test out and buy individual cars. Instead, you can buy a pre-packaged box that contains the top ten best sports cars, trucks, and race cars selected by an expert. An artificial intelligence ETF works exactly the same way. 

An ETF stands for Exchange-Traded Fund. It is a basket of stocks that trades on the regular stock market like a single share of an individual company. When you purchase one share of an artificial intelligence etf stock, your money is instantly split across dozens of different companies in the AI space. 

These AI ETF baskets hold multiple types of businesses. Some make the physical microchips (the brains of the computer), some build giant data center warehouses with immense power supplies, and others write the code for tools like the best free AI video generator.

The AI ETF fund is managed by a professional team or a smart computer algorithm that constantly checks the health of these companies. If one tech company starts falling behind, the manager takes it out of the basket and replaces it with a faster-growing one. 

This means you do not have to spend your weekends reading boring financial spreadsheets or worrying that one single stock choice might crash and burn. You own a small piece of the entire technological revolution all at once.

10 Best AI ETFs to Invest In (2026 Reviews)

Choosing from nearly a hundred structural options requires looking beneath the surface. Here is our comprehensive, deeply researched guide for the top ten artificial intelligence ETF choices in 2026. 

AIQ – Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF

AIQ does not gamble on speculative, small-cap startups. Instead, it anchors its capital in massive global powerhouses. It tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index.

The fund’s average return on equity across holdings sits at 19.6%, and its beta of 1.57 means it will swing harder than the S&P 500 in both directions.

Overview & Key Holdings

Launched in 2018, AIQ tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index across 84 companies. Key holdings often include:

• NVIDIA
• Microsoft
• Broadcom
• Alphabet
• Meta Platforms

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Long track record.
• Broad diversification.
• High liquidity.

Cons

• Heavy mega-cap overlap.
• Passive construction at a relatively high fee.

Expense Ratio

AIQ Expense Ratio: 0.68%. This means if you invest $1,000, you will pay approximately $6.80 every year in management and operational fees.

Best For

Long-term investors who want diversified, established exposure to the broad AI and big data theme.

CHAT – Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF

CHAT is the only fully active fund on this list and arguably the sharpest pure-play on generative AI. It applies a 50% revenue-purity screen, meaning every holding must derive at least half its revenue from generative AI.

Overview & Key Holdings

Launched in 2023, CHAT tracks many of the companies that use large language models. The AUM of CHAT is up to $1.75 billion.

Key holdings include:

• Alphabet 6%
• NVIDIA 6%
• AMD 6%
• SK Hynix 4-6%
• Micro Technology 6%
• ARM Holdings 4%

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Active management.
• Genuine generative AI focus.
• Strong recent performance.

Cons

• Concentrated portfolio.
• Higher fee.
• Manager-dependent.

Expense Ratio

CHAT Expense Ratio: 0.75%.

Best For

Investors with conviction in generative AI who want active management.

ARTY – iShares Future AI & Tech ETF

BlackRock’s ARTY, the iShares Future AI & Tech ETF, tracks a global index. It includes many of the top companies that contribute to AI technologies across software for the best AI music generators and best AI for coding, infrastructure, and services.

ARTY closed 2025 with returns of almost 30%, outperforming most other AI ETFs. 

Overview & Key Holdings

ARTY was launched in 2018 and manages over $3.69 billion in AUM. Top five holdings include:

• Micron 7.8%
• TSMC 5.5%
• NVIDIA 4.5%
• Marvell 4.3%
• SK Hynix 4.1%

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Backed by BlackRock.
• Diversified investment.
• Semiconductor-focused.
• Competitive fee.

Cons

• Heavily tied to the chip cycle.
• Limited software/application exposure.

Expense Ratio

ARTY Expense Ratio: 0.47%.

Best For

Investors who believe in AI hardware and semiconductor spending.

AIPI – REX AI Equity Premium Income ETF

AIPI stands out among top AI ETFs. While others focus on capital appreciation, it combines AI investing with an income-focused strategy. It also sells covered call options on those positions to generate income. As a result, its current annual yield is approximately 36.5%, paid monthly. 

Overview & Key Holdings

AIPI was launched in June 2024 and already has an AUM of approximately $440 million. Top holdings include: 

• CrowdStrike 9.6%
• NVIDIA 9.7%
• Palantir 8.1%
• Aster Labs 7.5%
• Datadog 4.7%

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Exceptional monthly income yield.
• AI equity exposure with a built-in income layer.
• Thrives perfectly in consolidation.

Cons

• Capped upside.
• Complex options structure.

Expense Ratio

AIPI Expense Ratio: 0.65%.

Best For

Income-focused investors who want a monthly cash flow.

AIS – VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF

AIS focuses on the idea that AI represents a long-term economic transformation similar to the internet revolution. AIS invests heavily in companies positioned to benefit from the AI supercycle, including those that power some of the best AI website builders 2026.

Overview & Key Holdings

Launched in 2024, AIS has an AUM of over $690 million, per Morningstar. Key holdings include:

• SK hynix 8.97%–12.18%
• Micron Technology 5.85%–8.08%
• Vertiv Holdings 5.08%
• AMD 4.18% 
• Silicon Motion Technology 3.87% 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Supply-chain focused.
• Strong memory chip exposure.
• Disciplined stock inclusion criteria.

Cons

• Shorter track record.
• Higher fees.

Expense Ratio

AIS Expense Ratio: 0.75%

Best For

Active AI investors who want a supply-chain-driven approach to the best AI ETFs to buy.

BOTZ – Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF

BOTZ is the original robotics and AI ETF with $3.56 billion in assets. Launched in 2016, BOTX has a proven long-term track record. It tracks companies benefiting from automation, robotics, and AI adoption. One-year net inflows exceeded $407 million.

Overview & Key Holdings

The BOTZ portfolio distribution bridges software engineering with physical manufacturing. Top holdings include.

• NVIDIA 11.2%
• ABB 10.6%
• Fanuc 9.0%
• Intuitive Surgical 6.0%

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Largest and most liquid robotics/AI ETF.
• Genuine industrial automation exposure.
• Global diversification.
• Long track record of success.

Cons

• Not a pure AI play. 
• Higher passive fee.

Expense Ratio

BOTZ Expense Ratio: 0.68%

Best For

Investors who want AI manufacturing and physical automation, not just software.

ROBO – Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF

ROBO pioneered thematic robotics investing back in 2013. Its defining feature is equal weighting. This means that every holding gets roughly the same allocation, regardless of market cap.

Overview & Key Holdings

ROBO index-linked assets have doubled recently as investors pivot to physical AI and humanoid robotics. The tradeoff is the highest expense ratio on our list.

Key holdings may include:

• Zebra Technologies
• Intuitive Surgical
• Cognex
• Teradyne
• ABB

The ETF covers multiple industries where AI and automation are becoming increasingly important, including companies building the best AI tools for students.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Equal-weight methodology reduces mega-cap concentration. 
• Genuine small-cap robotics exposure.
• Longest track record in the space.
• May underperform during mega-cap tech rallies

Cons

• Highest fee. 
• Frequent rebalancing drag. 

Expense Ratio

ROBO Expense Ratio: 0.95%

Best For

Investors seeking diversified exposure across the robotics and automation ecosystem.

XAIX – Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence and Big Data ETF

XAIX is the standout value pick among all the best ETFs for AI on this list. Launched in 2024, XAIX provides global AI and big data exposure through passive index tracking. At just 0.35%, it charges less than half what CHAT or AIS. 

Overview & Key Holdings

XAIX holds 94 assets and has an AUM of around $105 million. The fund uses a forward-looking patent screen to identify companies investing heavily in R&D, giving it a quality filter that pure revenue screens miss. Key holdings include.

• Samsung 7.2%
• Micron 5.9%
• SK hynix 5.3%
• Intel 5.0%
• Alphabet Inc. 5.0
• Amazon 4.7%

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Lowest expense ratio on this list.
• Strong AI and data focus.
• Exposure to cloud computing trends.
• Patent-screen methodology.
• Global investment diversification.

Cons

• Limited operating history.
• Technology-heavy portfolio.
• Lower dividend yield.

Expense Ratio

XAIX Expense Ratio: 0.35%

Best For

Cost-conscious investors seeking exposure to AI and big data growth.

ROBT – First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF

ROBT tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. It classifies holdings into three tiers (Engagers, Facilitators, and Collaborators). ROBT classifies them based on how directly each company participates in AI and robotics. 

This structured approach results in a more systematic, transparent construction than a simple revenue screen provides.

Overview & Key Holdings

ROBT was launched in 2018 and now has an AUM of approximately $750 million. The key holdings include:

• Palo Alto Networks 2.35%
• Cisco Systems 1.88%
• Cloudflare 1.74%
• C3.ai 1.68%
• AMD 1.65%

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well-diversified methodology.
• Nasdaq index transparency.
• Balanced AI and robotics exposure.
• Exposure to both hardware and software.

Cons

• Less concentrated than some competitors.
• May not fully capture AI market leaders.

Expense Ratio

ROBT Expense Ratio: 0.65%

Best For

Investors who want balanced exposure across the AI ecosystem.

AGIX – KraneShares Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF

AGIX is genuinely unlike anything else on this list. KraneShares built it to hold both public and private AI companies, giving retail investors access to pre-IPO valuations through special-purpose vehicles. It gives holders access to Anthropic, one of the best AI for writing tools, and many more. 

Overview & Key Holdings

AGIX is a specialized public-private ETF traded on the NASDAQ. It was launched in 2024 and has an AUM of over $790 million. Key holdings include:

• NVIDIA 4.47%
• Alphabet 3.82%
• Microsoft 3.64% 
• Meta Platforms 3.62%
• TSM 2.58%

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Unique private company access.
• Broader AI diversification.
• Stakes in Anthropic and SpaceX ahead of potential IPOs.
• Hybrid public-private portfolio.

Cons

• Higher market volatility.
• Technology sector concentration.

Expense Ratio

AGIX expense Ratio: 0.99%

Best For

Growth-oriented investors are willing to pay a premium for access to private AI companies.

Pros and Cons of Investing in AI ETFs

We know everyone seems to be investing in AI index funds at the moment. But before you join the bandwagon, it’s important to know the pros and cons involved. 

Pros

1. Diversification: Instead of betting on a single company, AI ETFs provide exposure to dozens of firms involved in AI development.
2. Reduced Direct Risk: If one company underperforms, the impact on the ETF is typically limited because the fund owns multiple stocks.
3. Access to AI Growth: The best ETFs for AI allow investors to participate in one of the fastest-growing industries globally.
4. Professional Management: Many AI funds use research teams and established methodologies to select companies with strong AI exposure.
5. Easy to Buy and Sell: Like stocks, ETFs trade throughout the day, making them highly liquid and accessible.

Cons

1. Compounding Fees: A 0.68% AI ETF costs $340 per year on a $50,000 investment. That gap compounds significantly over 20 years.
2. Mega-cap Overlap. Many AI funds are essentially repackaged versions of tech holdings you already own through funds like VTI or QQQ.
3. High Valuations: Many AI companies already trade at premium valuations, which can increase downside risk.

How to Choose the Best Performing AI ETFs

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to choose the best performing AI ETFs.

• Step 1: Define your target. Decide whether you want to bet on semiconductors that power the AI projects, generative AI software that builds the best AI resume builder, industrial robotics (BOTZ, ROBO) or overall market exposure (AIQ, XAIX).
• Step 2: Check the expense ratio. This is a guaranteed annual drag. Use XAIX at 0.35% as your baseline — anything higher needs to justify the additional cost through differentiated exposure or performance.
• Step 3: Check for overlap. Check the 10 holdings of the funds compared to what you already own. Tools like etfrc.com or portfoliovisualizer.com make this easy. If the fund is just more NVIDIA and Microsoft, you may not need it.
• Step 4: Check AUM and liquidity. Avoid funds under $50 million — they face meaningful closure risk. Funds like BOTZ ($3.56B), CHAT ($1.06B), and AIQ clear this easily. A 30-day bid-ask spread of 0.1% or less is the liquidity target.
• Step 5: Match the fund to your income needs. If you need cash flow, AIPI’s ~36% monthly yield is remarkable. If you’re in accumulation mode, that yield is irrelevant — and the covered-call cap on upside may hurt you.
• Step 6: Active vs. passive. Passive funds (XAIX, AIQ, ARTY) are cheaper and more predictable. Active funds (CHAT, AIS, AGIX) cost more but aim to outperform. In AI specifically, active management has shown some edge in recent years — but that edge comes with manager risk.

Final Thoughts: The AI Supercycle and the Future of Wealth

The numbers behind the AI market are blowing up. Micron Technology posted record quarterly revenue of $23.9 billion, nearly triple its year-ago figure. This is why investing in AI ETFs is no longer speculation. With the AI supercycle only beginning, this could be the best time to secure your future wealth.

The best AI ETFs to buy are the ones that match what you want to track, have low fees, and hold up under scrutiny. Many investors prefer dedicated AI infrastructure ETFs like XAIX for the cost-conscious passive investor, CHAT or AIS for the active generative AI believer, and BOTZ or ROBO for physical automation. XAIX for the cost-conscious passive investor. CHAT or AIS for the active generative AI believer. BOTZ or ROBO for physical automation. 

AGIX for anyone willing to pay for genuinely unavailable-elsewhere private company access. The top AI ETFs will keep evolving as the sector does, but the investors who win will be those who pick funds with clear logic, reasonable fees, and a time horizon measured in years, not months.

Frequently Asked Questions About AI Mutual Funds & ETFs

Are AI ETFs safer than buying individual AI stocks?

Generally, yes. Buying an AI ETF stock spreads investments across multiple companies, reducing the risk associated with owning a single individual equity.

Does Vanguard have a dedicated Vanguard AI ETF?

There is no Vanguard AI ETF. The investment company currently does not offer any ETF that solely tracks artificial intelligence companies.

Which AI ETF has the lowest expense ratio?

XAIX offers one of the lowest expense ratios at approximately 0.35%. This is why it is attractive for cost-conscious investors.

What is the difference between AI ETFs and AI index funds?

Many AI ETFs are structured as index funds that track AI-related benchmarks. The terms are often used interchangeably, although some AI funds are actively managed.

Can AI ETFs pay dividends?

Yes. Some AI ETFs distribute dividends generated by underlying holdings.

Are AI ETFs good long-term investments?

AI ETFs are considered good long-term investments because AI is expected to play an important role in almost every business sector.