AI is a rapidly emerging technology with vast potential applications across multiple industries, and its impact on society is significant. It is revolutionizing the global economy and national security. As we previously reported, the AI industry is experiencing a surge in growth worldwide, with funding for AI reaching $66.8 billion in 2021, which is double the previous year. A record-breaking number of 65 AI companies achieved a valuation of $1 billion or more, indicating a 442% increase from the previous year. This upward trend is expected to continue as more organizations and governments adopt AI solutions each year. The global market size for AI was approximately $119.78 billion in 2022, and it is expected to reach $1,591.03 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.1% from 2022 to 2030.
Funding for startups has significantly decreased after the public market multiples for high-growth technology companies with large losses collapsed. However, there is one exception to this trend, which is artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI. This type of AI pertains to technologies that concentrate on generating automatic responses in text, visuals, and audio. OpenAI is currently the most talked-about private company, with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s investment in it becoming a major point of discussion among venture capitalists and public shareholders who are trying to assess its impact on the potential value of their stocks. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s investment in OpenAI has grown to a reported $13 billion, and the startup's value has reached approximately $29 billion. This investment has put OpenAI in the spotlight, with many interested in its future prospects.
AI is becoming popular in multiple industries. Jim Breyer, founder and CEO of Breyer Capital, told CNBC on April 2:
“AI and medicine is perhaps the most attractive new investment opportunity I’ve ever seen. Over the last 12 months, mega-cap companies, based on direct meetings with Satya [Nadella, Microsoft CEO] and Tim Cook [Apple CEO] and others are not just doubling, tripling down on health care and medicine, it’s 10x, 50x.”
Despite the recent cost-cutting measures and layoffs in some health-related initiatives, major technology companies intend to significantly expand their health-related efforts, according to Breyer. This is expected to create one of the most significant career opportunities arising from the large-cap technology companies. Some of the best artificial intelligence stocks to buy include Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW), and EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM). However, we discuss the best artificial intelligence stocks under $20 according to analysts in this article.
Our Methodology
For this article, we used screeners to identify AI stocks under $20 whose average analysts’ price estimates are significantly higher than their current stock price. That means these stocks are cheap when compared to their true potential, according to Wall Street analysts. We have also mentioned the average upside potential according to analysts for each stock, and the list is ranked in ascending order of the average upside potential as of April 11.
In addition to pure play AI stocks we also picked companies that use AI in their products and services.
10 Best Artificial Intelligence Stocks Under $20 According To Analysts
Sprinklr, Inc. (NYSE:CXM) is a global provider of cloud-based software products for businesses. Their flagship product is the Unified Customer Experience Management platform, designed to analyze customer experience data that is not organized in a specific format. The company's product range includes Sprinklr Insights, which allows customers to monitor and act on insights from various channels; Sprinklr Service, a comprehensive cloud-based contact center that uses AI to service customers through different channels; Sprinklr Marketing, which streamlines marketing operations; and Sprinklr Social, which assists customers in listening, triaging, engaging, and analyzing conversations across various channels. It is one of the best AI stocks to monitor.
On March 30, J. Parker Lane, an analyst at Stifel, increased the firm's price target on Sprinklr, Inc. (NYSE:CXM) to $13 from $8 and maintained a Hold rating on the shares. According to the analyst, Sprinklr's Q4 results exceeded expectations for both revenue and profit and the company's projections for FY24 operating profit and subscription revenue growth are higher than what the Street had estimated. Stifel reported that Sprinklr, Inc. (NYSE:CXM) has observed a stabilization in the buying environment and a successful up-sell motion to existing customers. Additionally, Sprinklr's revenue outlook for FY25 remains at a predicted 15% growth rate, and the company's margin outlook is encouraging. The firm is also optimistic about the stabilizing demand environment for Sprinklr, according to the analyst.
According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 22 hedge funds were long Sprinklr, Inc. (NYSE:CXM), compared to 18 funds in the earlier quarter. Eric Bannasch’s Cadian Capital is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 7.8 million shares worth $63.8 million.
In addition to Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW), and EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM), Sprinklr, Inc. (NYSE:CXM) is one of the best AI stocks to watch.
Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK) is one of the best artificial intelligence stocks to watch. The company has been developing and integrating artificial intelligence capabilities into its various products and services. These include AI-enabled network operations, predictive maintenance for industrial IoT applications, and AI-powered analytics for video surveillance and public safety. Additionally, Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK) ReefShark chipset technology is designed to enhance the performance of 5G networks by using AI to improve processing speeds and reduce latency.
On February 14, Credit Suisse analyst Adithya Metuku reiterated an Outperform rating on Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK) but lowered the firm's price target on the shares to EUR 5.61 from EUR 6.05.
According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 17 hedge funds were bullish on Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK), compared to 24 funds in the earlier quarter. Ben Levine, Andrew Manuel, and Stefan Renold’s LMR Partners is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 10.3 million shares worth $47.85 million.
NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) manufactures and markets intelligent electric vehicles in China. Their product line includes electric SUVs with seating capacity for five, six, and seven people, as well as smart electric sedans. NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) has incorporated various AI technologies into their vehicles, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving features. NIO's vehicles are equipped with a system called NOMI, an AI assistant that can perform various tasks, such as adjusting the car's temperature and music, giving directions, and answering questions. Additionally, NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) has developed a cloud-based platform called NIO Pilot, which uses AI algorithms and big data analysis to improve driving safety and provide an enhanced driving experience. It is one of the best AI stocks to invest in.
In March 2023, NIO (NYSE:NIO) sold a total of 10,378 vehicles, which included 3,203 premium smart electric SUVs and 7,175 premium smart electric sedans. This represents a 14.6% decrease in deliveries from the previous month, but a 4% increase from the same period last year.
Morgan Stanley analyst Tim Hsiao on March 20 reiterated an Overweight rating on NIO (NYSE:NIO) but lowered the firm's price target on the shares to $12 from $16.10.
According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 25 hedge funds were bullish on NIO (NYSE:NIO), compared to 26 funds in the prior quarter. Jos Shaver’s Electron Capital Partners is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 6.30 million shares worth $61.4 million.
Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOT) creates and manages innovative technology solutions. Their solutions incorporate advanced technology platforms such as centraco, an enterprise information management system, truevue360, an integrated platform used for developing and deploying AI algorithms, and Praesidium, a software used for managing image capture devices and sensors, which are utilized as inputs for centraco software. These platforms utilize various techniques such as machine learning, computer vision, object detection, and deep neural network-based processing to provide real-time applications. Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOT) is one of the best artificial intelligence stocks to invest in.
On March 23, Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOT) introduced two fresh artificial intelligence detection models that can be used with the Railcar Inspection Portal solution for passenger railcars. These two models are the most recent additions to the company's range of inspection tools, which enable train operators to inspect trains at speeds up to 125 miles per hour.
Ascendiant analyst Edward Woo initiated coverage of Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOT) with a Buy rating and a $5 price target on January 18.
According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, Sander Gerber’s Hudson Bay Capital Management is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 21,696 shares worth $45.5 million.
Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR) offers intelligent infrastructure services and solutions to manage transportation, promote public safety, and support commercial markets globally, including in the United States and Canada. Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR) has more than 1,200 active users utilizing its suite of e-commerce platform solutions as of March 16. The company's unaudited revenue was approximately $1.7 million in 2022, a significant increase from $0.4 million in 2019. By the end of 2022, the platform had attracted customers from over 90 countries. It is one of the best artificial intelligence stocks to watch.
Following the Q4 results, B. Riley analyst Zach Cummins maintained a Buy rating on Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR) but lowered the firm's price target on the shares to $3 from $4 on March 28. The analyst attributed the price target reduction to the anticipated dilution resulting from the recent equity offering. Nonetheless, the analyst believes that Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR) is well-positioned to take advantage of the expected increase in infrastructure spending in the upcoming years.
According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 5 hedge funds held stakes worth $8.8 million in Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR), compared to 7 funds in the prior quarter worth $7.8 million.
Like Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW), and EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE:EPAM), Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR) is one of the top artificial intelligence stocks to invest in.
Here is what Evermore Global Advisors has to say about Rekor Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:REKR) in its Q2 2021 investor letter:
“Rekor Systems Inc. (REKR US). In February 2021,the Fund participated in a primary offering of shares in Rekor, a US-based technology company focused on vehicle identification systems sold to government entities. Shares proceeded to nearly double in short order, and we sold the position in mid-April for a sizable gain. When markets hand you a gift, sometimes it’s best to ring the cash register.”
