Economic research is changing fast as AI and data driven methods reshape how information is collected, tested and shared. For investors, that shift can quietly influence everything from macro forecasts to company level signals that move prices, which can create both opportunity and risk of missing the next wave of insight. This article looks at three stocks exposed to that trend and how the recent news could matter to your portfolio.

The stocks covered below are just a sample from this theme, and the full screen surfaced 33 more companies with equally compelling AI and data driven narratives that are not covered here. If you want to move faster, head straight to the AI-Driven Financial Data & Analytics Providers screener to analyze quality, compare fundamentals, and identify your highest conviction ideas.

Appen (ASX:APX)

Appen is an AI lifecycle company that supplies the data sourcing, annotation, and model evaluation work that sits behind many machine learning and large language models used across technology, finance, auto, retail, government, and healthcare. It generates about $127.9 million from Appen Global and $104.1 million from Appen China, with a small corporate segment on top of that. The stock is currently valued at around A$389.4 million, which puts it firmly in small cap territory.

Investors watching how AI is reshaping economic research may want to keep Appen on their radar because it sells the training data and evaluation tools that model builders need as they ramp up new large language models, agentic AI systems, and sector specific applications. Management points to falling model costs and rising enterprise adoption, which can increase demand for high quality, expert generated data. At the same time, the company is still loss making and heavily exposed to swings in AI spending and customer concentration. With the share price sitting well below some valuation estimates and analysts outlining a possible path to profitability over the next few years, the setup combines potential upside with business model risk that may warrant closer analysis ahead of the next results on 27 August 2026.

Appen’s valuation gap and loss making status could be masking a sharper inflection in its AI data demand story. Before the next results on 27 August 2026, review the analyst forecasts for Appen to see what might be missing.

Build your own AI data shortlist around Appen

Appen and the two other stocks in this article all surfaced from a single screener, but the real edge comes from building filters that match how you think about valuation, growth, risks, and balance sheets. Use our flexible Screener to shape your own watchlist, or tap into our ready made Investing Ideas for curated starting points.

Pagaya Technologies (PGY)

Pagaya Technologies uses proprietary AI to help banks, fintechs, auto lenders, and real estate providers make credit decisions and source funding, effectively acting as an AI engine for loan underwriting and distribution. The company generates about US$1.39b in revenue from Software & Programming, reflecting its focus on technology driven financial services rather than holding loans on its own balance sheet. Pagaya Technologies currently has a market cap of roughly US$1.8b, which puts it in mid cap territory for US listed software stocks.

Pagaya Technologies sits at the intersection of AI driven credit analytics and the “credibility revolution” in data heavy economic research, using a large application dataset and hundreds of data scientists to price risk for lenders and institutional investors. Recent results show record network volumes, higher 2026 revenue and net income guidance, and positive rating outlooks from credit agencies. Together, these developments indicate a business that is scaling on the back of its AI underwriting engine. At the same time, investors need to weigh a history of a large one off loss, reliance on external funding, and significant insider selling, which all raise questions about how robust that growth story is through a tougher credit cycle.

Pagaya Technologies appears to be an AI underwriting engine that is scaling quickly while still facing questions about funding and past losses. Before the narrative runs ahead of the numbers, read the 4 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

Nuix (ASX:NXL)

Nuix provides software that helps government agencies, corporates and professional service firms sift through massive data sets for investigations, eDiscovery and data privacy issues. It generates about A$237 million from Software & Programming solutions across regions, with revenue spread across the Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA. The stock has a market cap of around A$501 million, putting Nuix in the small to mid cap bracket on the ASX.

Nuix sits in the AI driven data and analytics theme that is reshaping economic and financial research, with management investing in deep learning capabilities and more use cases on the Nuix Neo platform. The company has recently turned profitable, and the current share price sits below some fair value estimates, yet investors still need to weigh higher than average funding risk, ongoing legal and restructuring costs, and customer retention questions in key regions. With results due on 24 August 2026 and AI playing a larger role in investigations and compliance work, Nuix may deserve a closer look from investors who want exposure to this part of the data infrastructure stack but are prepared to scrutinise the moving parts behind the company’s growth story.

Nuix now appears to be an AI data engine, and its recent profitability could be masking a broader shift in quality and risk. Before that story fully re rates, read the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before They Fly

Fresh stock stories can move from quiet to crowded quickly. Use these themed ideas to spot potential opportunities while they are still under the radar.

• Explore income opportunities that aim to balance resilience with yield by scanning the 4 dividend fortresses before others start focusing on the same payout plays.
• Monitor where AI momentum may be developing by reviewing the 75 profitable AI stocks that aren't just burning cash while these cash-generating tech stocks remain less widely followed.
• Review potential infrastructure-related ideas by checking the 40 power grid technology and infrastructure stocks and see which grid upgrade stocks may draw more attention if interest in the theme grows.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.