The Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) is designed to offer investors exposure to companies at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) development and application. Since its inception in 2018, AIQ has become a potential choice for those seeking exposure to firms involved in AI research, software, hardware, and services.
Rather than concentrating on a single industry, AIQ encompasses a diverse mix of businesses—from semiconductor manufacturers supplying AI chips to cloud service providers and software developers harnessing machine learning.
Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) Chart
The fund is listed on the Nasdaq Arca under the ticker symbol AIQ. It tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index and is rebalanced quarterly. As of April 16, 2025, it holds 85 stocks.
The total expense ratio is 0.68%.
Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF Performance
While the index made substantial gains in 2023 and 2024, it has tumbled so far in 2025 (as of April 17). This is due to significant market volatility resulting from the announcements and implementation of US President Trump’s tariffs. The uncertainty means investors have looked to safer assets.
| Period | Performance (as of April 2025) |
|---|---|
| Since Inception | +14.12% |
| 1-Year Performance | +7.11% |
| 3-Year Performance | +10.63% |
| 5-Year Performance | +18.69% |
Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF Top 10 Companies
| Company | Net Assets (% as of April 2025) |
|---|---|
| Tencent | 4.35% |
| Alibaba | 3.78% |
| Samsung Electronics | 3.75% |
| Netflix | 3.57% |
| Cisco Systems | 3.23% |
| IBM | 3.22% |
| Apple | 3.18% |
| Palantir | 2.98% |
| Microsoft | 2.97% |
| Meta Platforms | 2.84% |
Artificial Intelligence Stocks Forecast
The Bull Argument: UBS analysts are split in their view of AI stocks in the current market. The bank acknowledged that “the good news is that most enterprises are moving forward such that AI spend should be a more material catalyst in 2026/2027.”
Meanwhile, RBC Capital said it is “of two minds when it comes to AI in a recessionary environment.” They noted that “many deployments of AI can allow companies to do more with less and, therefore, successful implementations of AI could result in greater productivity and cost savings, which becomes paramount in a recessionary environment.”
The Bear Argument: While many still see a strong bullish case for AI stocks, the current environment has resulted in more market participants expressing cautious views.
Despite the positive comments (mentioned above), UBS said: “Bottom line, we should not hold our breath waiting for an enterprise AI spending inflection in 2025 to save the day for software firms, and if the global economy deteriorates, more enterprises could seek to optimise or shift their AI efforts.”
Meanwhile, RBC also stated: “Many AI use cases, based on our checks, remain experimental in nature and macroeconomic pressure could result in cutbacks of these AI pilots.”
Bank of America recently told investors in a note that it expects “AI to transition from a ‘tell me’ to a ‘show me’ story, with any disconnect between investments and revenue generation to come under increased scrutiny.”
Our View: The Global X AIQ ETF is well-positioned for those seeking direct exposure to the advancement and commercialisation of artificial intelligence.
However, as we have seen, while the ETF carries the potential for strong long-term returns, it’s not immune to short-term swings, especially in environments where growth stocks are under pressure.
Still, for those with a forward-looking approach (at a potentially attractive entry point), AIQ represents a compelling opportunity to gain exposure.
Who Should Invest in the AIQ
While it won’t be suitable for everyone, the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF may be of particular interest to the following types of investors:
Innovation-Oriented Investors: Those seeking to participate in long-term secular trends, particularly in artificial intelligence and big data, may see the ETF as an opportunity.
Tech Enthusiasts: Individuals looking for focused exposure beyond traditional tech indices, targeting the most AI-relevant names.
Thematic Portfolio Builders: Investors constructing portfolios around specific themes like automation, cloud computing, and intelligent software.
Growth-Focused Investors: Those willing to accept short-term volatility in exchange for potentially higher long-term capital appreciation.
Investors Looking for Pullbacks: Investors who like to gain exposure to markets following pullbacks may find now is a perfect time to invest in the ETF, although whether the decline will continue is another question.
