AI is no longer just a Silicon Valley buzzword, it’s slowly becoming the operating system of modern industry. From chipmakers to software platforms, nearly every tech narrative in 2025 has a layer of artificial intelligence baked into it. But as the headlines get flashier and the hype gets louder, the actual question investors care about remains the same:
What are the real AI stocks to buy right now?
Not the overhyped ones with flashy logos and vague promises. Not the startups with a cool demo and zero revenue. We’re talking about companies with real tech, real users, and real (or at least potential) impact.
But here’s the catch there’s no single, perfect list. Some AI stocks are grounded in decades of research and infrastructure. Others are cheap, speculative bets that might blow up in your face—or blow up your portfolio in the good way. And then there’s the gray area: the companies piggybacking off the AI trend without building much themselves.
This space is complicated. Tools like undress AI remind us that not all AI is created for enterprise-level innovation. Some projects ride the viral wave, grabbing headlines and public attention without necessarily offering long-term investor value. So, separating tech substance from spectacle is half the work here.
This post isn’t financial advice. It’s not some cleanly packaged “Top 10” list either. It’s more like a running commentary from someone knee-deep in tech headlines, earnings calls, Reddit threads, and the occasional gut feeling. We’ll walk through the known giants, the affordable underdogs, and a few wildcards that might surprise you.
Not All AI Stocks Are Created Equal
It’s wild how many companies slap “AI” on their earnings calls like it’s a seasoning. You’ve probably heard this before—AI is everywhere. But what really matters is where the money flows. Infrastructure, chips, foundation models, data labeling, edge AI, automation platforms—those are the trenches.
Some companies are building the tools. Others are just using them. We’re focusing on the builders.
What AI Stocks to Buy (If You’re Actually Watching This Space)
Let’s start with the obvious ones. Then we’ll get into the sketchier, cheaper, maybe-riskier plays. You’ll probably know the names up front. Still worth revisiting.
NVIDIA (NVDA) — Yes, Still
It’s not even a stock at this point—it’s a movement. Nvidia has been eating the AI world alive, thanks to its chips being the hardware backbone for nearly every generative AI model out there.
Would I buy now? Depends. Some folks think it’s too hot. But here’s the thing—until another company can beat CUDA + GPU combo at scale, Nvidia’s still got runway. Even if it dips, long-term investors aren’t sweating.
Palantir Technologies (PLTR)
Weird company. Secretive. Kind of spooky. But if you believe in AI being used at scale in government, logistics, health, defense Palantir’s got their hands deep in it. Their AI platforms are being pitched hard to the enterprise world now. No longer just secret CIA meetings and classified contracts.
Not the cheapest stock, but still not mega-cap. Some growth potential. Risky? Kinda. But interesting.
Alphabet (GOOGL): Not Just Search Anymore
While everyone obsesses over OpenAI and ChatGPT, people forget Google invented the transformer model. They’re still a monster in AI R&D. Between DeepMind, Gemini, and their massive compute power, they’re deep in it.
Problem? Bureaucracy. Big company pace. But they’re safe-ish. If you want stability plus exposure to frontier AI work, GOOGL’s a staple.
Best AI Stocks to Buy Now (That Aren’t the Obvious Giants)
Let’s get into more specific, maybe-less-talked-about stuff.
SoundHound AI (SOUN)
Voice AI for enterprise. Not the most hyped company, but they’ve landed real clients (fast food chains, cars, etc). If voice becomes a key AI layer—SOUN might sneak its way into value. Still a cheap AI stock to buy now for many.
Tiny market cap. Big volatility. But also… room to grow. Feels penny-ish, though technically not always under $5.
BigBear.ai (BBAI)
Yeah, the name’s a bit cringe. But they’ve got government contracts and defense-focused analytics tools. More of a speculative play, fits under AI penny stocks to buy now if you’re trying to get in early and ride a wave if it comes.
You’re not buying this for safety. You’re buying it like it’s a small startup with ties to big systems.
C3.ai (AI)
Their ticker is literally “AI”. Gutsy.
C3’s been around for a while now, and their stock has been… all over the place. Still, they offer enterprise AI platforms, have deals in energy and defense, and claim to be “end-to-end AI at scale.” Reality? Mixed bag. But it checks the box for those searching for which AI stocks to buy with high volatility and high ceiling.
Cheap AI Stocks to Buy (And Maybe Forget About for a While)
These aren’t the ones you buy for your retirement fund. But they’re fun to track, cheap enough to test waters, and maybe—just maybe—one of them 10x’s someday. Or vanishes. Equal odds.
Guardforce AI (GFAI)
Straight up: small-cap, very speculative, focused on robotics and AI for security. Asia-focused, contracts here and there. Penny-stock behavior, definitely not stable. But for some folks asking what are the cheapest AI stocks to buy now?—this might scratch that curiosity itch.
Rekor Systems (REKR)
Traffic intelligence, surveillance, data fusion—feels like Palantir Lite. Not profitable. Revenue inconsistent. But they’re definitely trying to build a data-first AI platform for cities. Risk? Sky high. But not fake.
Penny AI Stocks to Buy Now: For Risk-Lovers Only
People chase penny AI stocks hoping to catch the next Nvidia at $1. Reality? Most of them aren’t even profitable. Some aren’t even properly audited.
Still, if you’re here for fun or small-risk/high-reward games:
- BBAI (mentioned above)
- GFAI
- SOUN
- Exscientia (EXAI) — AI + drug discovery
- Lantern Pharma (LTRN) — similar biotech-AI play
These fall under the “possible, not probable” zone.
Which AI Stocks to Buy in 2025?
If you’re serious:
- You probably want diversified exposure (big + small).
- Avoid the meme plays unless you like the chaos.
- Look at actual AI product pipelines, not just buzzwords.
- Think about sectors: healthcare, defense, chipmakers, enterprise, infrastructure.
Some of the best cheap AI stocks to buy now might not look flashy. But they might also not be overhyped—yet.
Real People Are Quietly Watching AI Infrastructure
The loudest stocks are the ones in the news. But a lot of the actual value might come from:
- Semiconductors (not just Nvidia—watch AMD, Marvell, Broadcom)
- Data centers (Equinix, Digital Realty)
- AI software layers (Hugging Face isn’t public yet, but keep an eye)
- Private firms going public (watch IPOs in late 2025)
FAQ
Q1. What are the best AI stocks to buy right now?
A: Nvidia, Palantir, and Alphabet are strong foundational picks. For higher risk/reward, SoundHound or C3.ai might interest you.
Q2. Are there any cheap AI stocks worth investing in?
A: Some lower-cost options include BigBear.ai, SoundHound, and Guardforce AI. They carry risk, but also upside if AI scales into new sectors.
Q3. Which AI stocks are considered penny stocks?
A: BBAI, GFAI, and LTRN are typically under $5 and fit the penny stock mold, though their status can fluctuate.
Q4. How risky are AI penny stocks?
A: Very. Many are speculative, thinly traded, and lack strong financials. Only invest what you’re comfortable losing.
Q5. What sectors benefit most from AI stocks?
A: Semiconductors, healthcare (biotech + diagnostics), finance, defense, and infrastructure-heavy sectors see the most impact from AI development.
Conclusion:
So yeah, not every AI stock is a goldmine. Some might fizzle out, others might explode. Timing helps, but understanding what these companies actually do helps even more. Some of these you’ll buy and forget. Others you’ll regret not buying earlier. That’s the market.
